Posted on: Tuesday, July 10, 2001

William Harr, WWII pilot, contractor, dead at 77

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

William C. Harr, a World War II pilot and former national commodore of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will be remembered by friends and family Friday at a "celebration of life" at his Honolulu home.

Harr, known to his friends as Papa, was a retired general contractor. He died at his home Friday at the age of 77.

Born in Butte, Mont., Harr grew up in San Francisco and attended the University of San Francisco.

His decorations during World War II included the Purple Heart, awarded after his airplane was shot down in the Battle of the Aleutians.

Harr established Harvis Construction and Develco Corporation to build commercial and residential real estate projects in California and Hawai'i.

He had been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 14th District, since 1975, held elected and appointed offices at every level, including his term as national commodore in 1987-88, and was also active in the Coast Guard Foundation. His 41-foot cabin cruiser Malama Kai was an auxiliary vessel, used for everything from search-and-rescue to mock boarding exercises.

He was a member of Lions Club, Easter Seal Society, Elks Club, Police Athletic Club, Boys Club and Sea Scouts.

Harr is survived by daughters Margaret Bladet and Christine Smazenko of Sacramento, and Shawn, of Honolulu; four grandchildren; hanai daughters Frances Leilani and Roberta Erickson of Honolulu; and family friend Olive Deming.

A celebration will take place between 4 and 7 p.m. at the family home, to be followed at a later date by scattering of ashes at sea. The family prefers memorial contributions go to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Foundation.