Wilbert "Lum" Harris

Wilbert William Harris, a Colonial Manor Section of West Deptford, New Jersey, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026. He was 95.

Legacy

He was born on October 3, 1930, Camden, NJ, graduating from Camden High School, 1948, and married in April 1952. He lived in Colonial Manor since April 1952.

He worked for the Department of Defense of NJ as a “Full Time” NJARNG employee for 40 years and was a member of the NJARNG for 42 years, 6 months in Camden, NJ, Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Pitman, Lumberton, Somerset and Fort Dix, NJ.

His NJARNG service was in Company A114th Reg’t Inf Bn, Co B 214th Reg’t Inf Bn, Company C 161st Military Policy Bn, Hqs Battery 116th AAA (Gun 90mm) Bn, 254 Nike-Ajax Missile Bn, 112th Nike-Hercules Missile Bn, HHB 112th, Field Artillery Group, Hqs Company 2nd Brigade, 50th Armd Div, Hqs Company 50th Armd Div, retiring as the 50th Armd Division Command Sergeant Major 31 October 1990.

Upon his retirement, he volunteered at the Inspira Medical Center (Underwood Memorial Hospital) for many years working in the ER, MICU, Medical Records, Human Resources and Radiological departments.

Along with his volunteer work he was a life member of the Colonial Manor Fire Association, serving as a fire fighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Secretary and Vice President of the association.

He was a member of the West Deptford Little League for many years holding positions of assistant manager, team manager, and secretary of the league.

He was a member of Colonial Manor Troop #9, serving on the board of directors and as an assistant scout master for many years. During this time, he obtained “The Order Of The Arrow.”

Mr. Harris was also a member of the North South Skirmish Association 1991-2020, as a member Company A 11th NJV Infantry Regiment, 1st Bn, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division of the Union Army, serving as a rifleman, Adjutant and Company Commander. During this period of time, he discovered that he had a great-great uncle who fought in the Civil War with the 1st Bde, Union Army and he was awarded a Medal as a Son of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

During the period of 1972-1981 he was a member of the NJARNG High Power Rifle Team, earning the classification of Sharpshooter. He fired in all of the 1st US Army Rifle Matches, Ft Meade, MD, PA state championship matches at Ft Indiantown Gap, PA and the New York State championship matches at Ft Plattsburgh, NY, earning many individual medals. He also earned many medals at the High Power Rifle match held at The Cumberland Rifleman Club, Millville, NJ.

He was a member of the “CAMDEN LIGHT ARTILLERY” association Cherry Hill, NJ from 1992-date, holding the offices of Vice President, secretary and a member of the by-law committee. For his service to the 112th Field Arty Assoc, he was awarded the Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

Mr. Harris became a member of the Jr Order Of The American Mechanics of NJ in 1993, belonging to the Tabernacle Council #49 for many years holding all of the offices to the position of counselor. He also served on the state board of Directors, as a member of its By Law committee, conductor and Vice Counselor.

He was a member of the 114th Regimental Association of Woodbury, NJ, serving as their Secretary as a Regimental Sergeant Major since 1991. Mr. Harris was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice from the National Infantry Association, Ft Benning, GA.

He was a life member of the Army Navy Garrison Post #52 of National Park, NJ. He also volunteered for the Woodbury Historical Society, working with the history of society’s antique weapons and swords.

Family

He is the beloved husband of 71 years to Dorothy “Dottie” B. Harris (nee Bufo); loving father of Richard Harris (Danielle); Chris Harris (Diane), Lynn S. Melson (Larry), Barbara A. Foder. Loving grandfather of Kimberly Gillen, Kristen Emerson, Michael Harris, Brian & Scott Melson, Megan & Brandon Kelly; and great-grandfather of Nathaniel, Hadley, Charlee, Antonia, Francesca, Abigail, Bella, and Hunter. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Farewell Tribute

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday, August 19th, from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the McGuinness Funeral Home - Woodbury, 34 Hunter Street. Funeral Service will begin at 12:00PM. Interment will follow at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ.

share the memories … share love … ShareLife® at www.mcgfuneral.com