When Bill and Lois retired, they settled into their new slower-paced life at beautiful Lake Hartwell. There, they discovered a special connection to the area; Bill’s father, who died when Bill was young, had family ties in Hartwell and was invested in the area through their work and land ownership. Having his father die so young, this finding touched and healed a part of Bill’s heart that had been left void.

When Bill passed away, his wife and children knew that they wanted to honor his life and create a legacy in his name. They chose to establish the ‘William D. Harris Fund,’ a Donor Advised Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, in his memory. Each family member contributes annually to the Fund, and they actively work together to distribute grants to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that are in and around Hart County.

The Harris family has found that their Donor Advised Fund has enabled them to keep Bill’s memory alive in a meaningful and impactful way. NGCF handles all their fund administration and investments allowing them to focus on giving back to Bill’s beloved community and providing support to causes that he was passionate about.