Pastor Wilbur Cornelius Harris
1930-2018
For Wilbur Cornelius Harris, life’s odyssey began on Sunday March 16, 1930. As the seventh of eight children born to the union of Lonnie McKinley Harris and Lillie Mae Green Harris, he had an abundance of loving siblings to welcome him into the fold. He transitioned into life everlasting on Friday March 23, 2018 at the age of 88 years, one week.
Wilbur was educated in the Toledo Public Schools, a 1948 graduate of Jesup W. Scott High School, he was proud of his alma mater and fully embraced its mantra, “Once A Bulldog, Always A Bulldog!!!”
He was drafted into the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. He served in the Korean Theatre until he was Honorably Discharged in February 1953 after rising to the rank of Corporal.
In 1954, he opened Harris Plumbing & Heating. Until his passing, he held the distinction of being one of the earliest African-American “Master Plumbers” and “General Contractors” in the City of Toledo. He retired in 2000 at age 70.
In 1976, he founded and pastored, Faith Way Church of God in Christ, originally located at 315 Junction Ave., Toledo. Faith Way moved to its current location at 1122 Nebraska Avenue in 1982.
After 39 years of servant leadership, Pastor Harris retired as Senior Pastor of Faith Way Church in August 2015. At the conclusion of his tenure, he passed the leadership baton of pastoring on to his son-in-law, Elder Delbert Williamson and to his son-in-the-gospel, Elder Jerry Williams who now serves as the church Assistant Pastor. On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pastor Wilbur C. Harris was ordained as Pastor Emeritus of Faith Way Church.
Pastor Harris will be remembered for his love of travel, his business savvy, his booming, mellifluous voice, a smile that could light up any room and his unceasing faith.
Pastor Harris is predeceased by both parents, beloved wife, Verna Mae Harris; daughter, Cynthia Williamson, grandson Andrew Joshua Williamson and his seven Brothers and Sisters.
He leaves to cherish his memory: Daughter, Linette (Louis Jr.) Guilford, Son-in-law, Pastor Delbert Williamson. Grandchildren: Nichole Ferrell of Columbus, OH, Louis III (Kenya) Guilford, Jamin (LaTasha) Sullivan, Roger, Elisa and Kenasia Guilford, Josiah and Jairus Williamson and five great-grandchildren, the Harris-Richardson siblings of Florida and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his Faith Way Church Family.
Visitation is Friday, March 30, 6-8p.m. Wake Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Funeral. All services at Faith Way Church, 1122 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, 43607. Arrangements: House of Day Funeral Service, 2550 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, 43607