Dr. William Harrison, Jr

Dr. William Harrison, Jr. died on April 8, 2012, at the age of 95. He was born in Derby, Conn., on September 26, 1916. After graduating from Brown University in 1938, Dr. Harrison attended Yale Medical School. He served in the Army from 1943-47 as a Laboratory Medical Officer, and retired as a Major. He then returned to Connecticut to complete his Internship at the Hartford Hospital and then his Residency at Yale University.

In 1951 Dr. Harrison brought his family to Kingsport to become the first Pathologist at what was then the Holston Valley Community Hospital. Feeling that Kingsport blood should be used for the benefit of Kingsport patients, Dr. Harrison established the first local blood bank, now known as Marsh Blood Bank. In 1959 Dr. Harrison started a School of Medical Technology in association with several surrounding colleges to help fill the need for qualified med techs in the area. At the age of 65, Dr. Harrison retired from the laboratory but continued to practice part-time as the Pathologist at the Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap until 1989.

In addition to being the Director of the Laboratory and Director of the School of Medical Technology, Dr. Harrison was on the Board of Directors of the Community Chest, the Board of Directors of Kingsport Symphony, and was the President of the Medical Staff at HVCH.

Dr. Harrison loved traveling and the outdoors. He was an early and avid supporter of the Bays Mountain Park, frequently hiking the trails there and enjoying the Nature Center. In later years he could be found on his electric scooter, accompanied by a family member, along the Green Belt.

Dr. Harrison was pre-deceased by his wife of 50 years, Julia Stoddard Harrison.

He is survived by his daughter, Martha of Ludlow, VT., and four sons, Stephen of Knoxville, William Tad and wife, Jane of Oxford, Ct., Nicholas of Kingsport, and Thomas Toby and wife, Tamma of Knoxville; sister, Lucy Eimer; nieces, Sally Eimer, Nancy Hamilton and Holly Eimer. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the following people for their loving care of their father: Dr. Bob Jones, long-time friend and frequent visitor; and the wonderful friends who have become part of our family, Carolyn Roberts, Bridgett Franklin, Anna Atkins, Tracy Jones, Tammy Fisher, Phyllis Landwerth, and Gale Fletcher.

There will be calling hours at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport from 4-6:00 pm Saturday, April 14th.

A private burial service will be held at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bays Mt. Park, 853 Bays Mt. Park Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660, or Friends in Need, 1105 W. Stone Dr., Kingsport, TN 37660.