"A man is but the product of his thoughts...what he thinks, he becomes"

Bill J. Harrell (Billy Jack) passed away peacefully on July 2, 2024 at his home in Utica, NY at the age of 92. He was born on March 27, 1932 in Dallas, Texas to his parents Robert and Mattie Lee Harrell. He grew up in/near Dallas with his "baby" sister Martha and older brother Bobby. Bill attended college in Texas where he earned a degree in Sociology then later went on to graduate school at Tulane in New Orleans, LA. While in graduate school he was a member of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and participated in a sit-in at Woolworths to protest segregation at lunch counters. He reflected on those years with great pride and maintained and practiced those values throughout his professional and personal life. Bill earned his doctorate in Sociology and taught at the University of Buffalo, Denver, UConn, then in the 70's landed at SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica, NY from where he would later retire.

He was passionate about teaching and formed many friendships with students and colleagues throughout his career.
"A great teacher is a great artist...it might even be the greatest of arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit."

Bill was also passionate about reading and read/owned thousands of books during his lifetime. He enjoyed books related to his profession, poetry, the classics, books on art and just a good story. He also had a great love of music of all kinds, and played the guitar and harmonica. To grow up in the Bill Harrell household was to experience a home filled with music from Beethoven, Dylan, to the blues, and that love of music was shared with all of his children. He also loved art, visiting museums, was a great soccer fan, and loved nature. He had many outdoor adventures with his late wife Laurel, children, and grandchildren over the years including an unexpected one when he and 2 of his grandchildren, Jeremy and Lily, became lost in the Adirondacks overnight and were rescued the following morning!

Bill and Laurel enjoyed many trips together during their marriage including ones to England, the Southwest, The Grand Canyon and Canada. They especially loved attending several Old Time Music camps in North Carolina and West Virginia where they shared their love of music, listening, playing, and learning.

Bill is remembered by his son Eden from his first marriage and daughter in-law Katie, his daughters Amanda and Aimee from his second wife Laurel of 55 years, his grandchildren Damon, Kristen, Bradley (wife Sarah), Jeremy, Lily (husband Mackenzie), Colin, and Liana and great-grandchildren Shelby, Eleanor, Rohan, Maya, and Lincoln. He is also remembered by his sister Martha (late husband Russell), nieces and nephews Shannon, Belinda, and Tim and members of Laurel's family, especially her sister Liz and husband Bart and their children. He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby (wife Jeri).

Lastly Bill was a great thinker, intelligent yet down to earth, kind, interested and funny. His spirit, wisdom and laughter will be very much missed. "Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it."

The family would like to thank members of the Dialysis team at both the Masonic Campus and St. Lukes Campus, Hospice for their compassion and helping to keep Bill comfortable during his last week, and especially Tatianas Band of Angels for all the heart, care, and respect they showed Bill during the last several months of his life at home.

The family will have a private celebration of life gathering at a later date.

Arrangements are under the guidance of John L Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks, NY. To send an online greeting go to www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com