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W. Earle Harrison, 85, World War II Bomber Pilot. Earle Harrison died Saturday, November 3, 2007 of congestive heart failure at his home in Atlanta, GA. Visitation will be held Monday, November 5, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Hart's Mortuary. Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at Riverside Cemetery entering through the north gate. The Reverend Allen Fennell will officiate. Born December 4, 1921, in Cochran, GA, Earle was the youngest of seven children. He was raised in Fitzgerald, Georgia and attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. He later attended Mercer University in Macon and played on their last football team. After joining the Army Air Corp in 1942, he was trained to fly a B-26 Martin Marauder bomber. Earle and his crew flew a total of 68 missions over Nazi-occupied France, including crucial missions over Normandy on D-Day. He later served as military chief of production control in the Air Material command, based at Warner Robins Air Force Base. Earle married Edith Muriel Gillon in Macon, GA, and they were blessed with two sons, Walt and Gary. Earle joined Inland Container Corp. in 1949, and eventually retired in 1984, after serving as Senior Executive Vice-President of Manufacturing at Inland's corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. He then began a third career for George Martin Company, traveling extensively on their behalf, and contributing significantly to the company's success. Earle and Edith moved to Atlanta to be closer to family members. They attended St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Earle was preceded in death by wife, Edith Muriel Gillon, and daughter-in-law, Aurelia Harrison. He is survived by wife, Dorothy Harrison of Atlanta, GA; son, Walter Harrison and wife, Deb of Stockbridge, GA; son, Gary Harrison of Tijeras, NM; five beloved grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a large number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. Earle participated in the Atlanta History Center's Veterans History Project and was interviewed for posterity concerning his war efforts. He lived life to the fullest and had a profound and positive impact on all those fortunate enough to have known him. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 117 Perimeter Center W, Suite E 101, Atlanta, GA 30338 or the American Cancer Society, Bibb County Unit, P.O. Box 4408, Macon, GA 31208. Hart's Mortuary has charge of arrangements.
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