Mr Charles William (Bill) Harry
November 14, 1934 ~ September 22, 2023
Born in:
Roanoke, Virginia
Resided in:
Fairfax, Virginia
Charles William (Bill) Harry
November 14, 1934 – September 22, 2023
Bill Harry, age 88, of Vienna, Virginia succumbed to respiratory failure surrounded by the love of family at Brightview Fair Oaks.
Bill was the son of the late Joseph Christian Harry and late Wiser (Skip) Holland Harry. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Claire Ann Harry, with whom he shared over 60 years of marriage. He is survived by their children, Chuck Harry (Gerard deIlly), Christina Werner (Greg), and Curtis Harry (Dawn); his brother, Doug Harry (Linda); and his wife’s eldest sister, Helen Corbett (late Bernie).
Personable, steadfast, loyal, and interesting only begin to describe Bill. An aeronautical engineer by trade, he was the primary project engineer and a test pilot for the US Navy’s research XR-3 test craft and later instrumental in design improvements to the Navy’s LCAC (landing craft air cushion) vehicles as well as other projects throughout his over 41 years at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, in Bethesda, Maryland.
At the age of 14, Bill joined the Washington Redskins Marching Band as a percussionist. Over the years, he marched with the snare, toms, served as drum section leader, and as the line chief. When he could no longer march, he attended each practice and games serving as the band’s statistician and field manager. He was honored on the field in 2011 for his then 62 years of service. WRC-NBC4 interviewed him in their Redskins 85th Anniversary Special. Members of the Kena Temple Shrine Band, many of whom were part of the former Redskins’ band, recently played at Brightview and presented Bill with a plaque commemorating his 70 years of service. Many amazing days were shared at RFK Stadium.
As a teen, Bill became enthralled with birds of prey. He became a master falconer, a lifelong passion through which he inspired and mentored many. Bill was a founding member of the Virginia Falconers’ Association and was recently featured in the 40th Anniversary Issue of their Hawk Talk magazine. He also was a longtime member of the North American Falconers Association. Dignitaries, including princes, visited Bill to learn about the art of falconry. Many remember truly remarkable displays of flight by his birds, such as Tarquin and VaPa, during various field meets and hunts.
Repeatedly, people mention how friendly and kind Bill was to everyone. He loved to share his passions, knowledge, and regularly a great joke or two. Bill loved his kids and grandchildren (Callie Harry, Conner Harry, Mackenzie Werner, and Annika Werner) and, along with his late wife, Claire Harry, attended many family events and trips far and wide. Bill inspired many people and his kind, loving, and joking nature which will echo in the many lives he touched. His spirit now soars with the falcons.
A visitation will be held at Money & King Funeral Home of Vienna, Virginia on Thursday, October 19 from 4 pm to 7 pm.
A remembrance service will be held at Money & King Funeral Home of Vienna, Virginia on Friday, October 20 at 11 am. Following the remembrance service, a repast luncheon will be held at Mama Tigre in Oakton, Virginia from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.
Services
Visitation: October 19, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
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2023-10-19 16:00:00
2023-10-19 07:00:00
CharlesWilliam (Bill)HarryVisitation
Visitation
171 W. Maple Ave.,Vienna, VA 22180
Service: October 20, 2023 11:00 am
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2023-10-20 11:00:00
2023-10-20 11:00:00
CharlesWilliam (Bill)HarryService
Service
171 W. Maple Ave.,Vienna, VA 22180
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Ann and I are very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was best man at our wedding on May 14, 1967 and he and Claire were at our 50th Wedding Anniversary party on May 14, 2017. I worked with him at David Taylor-Carderock from about 1959 to 1971 and we continued to associate after that. We did the XR-3 craft in 1967/68. Our condolences to his family.