Bill Harris Biography
Bill Harris is an American journalist whose radio and television career can best be summed up in the quote inscribed on the award presented to him on his induction into the prestigious “Silver Circle” by the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: Membership in the Silver Circle in recognition of your dedication to excellence and the significant contribution you have made to our industry.
Bill Harris Age
Harris’ age is estimated to be 65. We will update his exact age as soon as possible.
Bill Harris Personal Life
Bill and his wife Jane, a 35-year law enforcement dispatcher, live in Grand Blanc.
He holds Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting and Film, cum laude, from Boston University.
Bill Harris Career | Fox 66
Bill has also distinguished himself in the area of law enforcement with a rare perspective of someone who has been on “both sides of the fence.” While anchoring and reporting for WJRT, Bill also served as a uniformed, reserve deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department’s Paramedic Division. He is a recent graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy and has trained with numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
He continues to work closely with numerous agencies and consulting firms, including the Michigan State Police, as a media consultant and instructor and, this past August served as the Public Information Officer for Flint’s “Back To The Bricks” Law Enforcement Task Force.
NBC25-FOX66 news anchor Bill Harris was inducted Sunday into the National Academy of Television Arts & Science – Michigan Chapter’s Gold Circle.
The honor recognizes Bill’s more than 50 years of service to the broadcasting industry. The nine-time Emmy honoree continues to hold the trust and respect from the viewing public, the community, and his colleagues.
Bill’s first taste of television came in 1965 while working in his hometown of Holyoke, Massachusetts. It was during that time he was asked to do some announcing and production work for the Passionist Fathers Television Center.
Less than two years later, Bill joined the production department at WWLP-TV, the NBC affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts as a camera operator, audio engineer, and director. In the early 1970s, station management asked if he would help develop what was then an emerging format – a television news magazine. In 1976, as he produced and hosted western New England’s first such program which garnered him his first two Emmy nominations.
Bill moved to Flint to join the newsroom staff at WJRT-TV on September 1977. Throughout his career, Bill has served in numerous roles at the ABC affiliate including as a reporter, anchor, videographer, and editor. He is the area’s longest-serving media personality, a distinction that has earned him the title of the “Dean of Mid-Michigan television news anchors” by a local newspaper.
In January 2011, Bill joined the staff of WEYI-TV and WSMH-TV, the NBC and FOX affiliates in Flint-Saginaw-Bay City-Midland where he currently anchors the 6 pm, 10 pm, and 11 pm newscasts and serves as the stations’ Director of Special Projects.
During his 53-year long career in broadcast journalism, Bill has covered five presidents, five governors and the U.S. visits of three Popes. He also embedded with a Michigan Law Enforcement Task Force sent to assist in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Bill Harris Illness
In 2010, Bill suffered a personal setback when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Almost immediately after hearing the news, Bill documented his “journey” – his diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent recovery – into a series of Emmy-winning reports and a half-hour documentary.
As a cancer survivor, Bill and his wife work with men diagnosed with prostate cancer, providing insight and support to men and their families who are facing the same life-changing challenge.
Bill Harris Awards
In his thirty years as an anchor, reporter, and producer in Flint, Bill has been honored with nine Emmy awards, thirty-seven Emmy nominations, including Emmy awards in 2011, 2009 and 2007 as Michigan’s “Best News Anchor.”
From his first statue, a report on the “whistle-stop” campaign of President George H. Bush, another for his series of stories documenting the 119th Michigan State Police recruit school, to his award-winning reports detailing his diagnosis of Prostate Cancer, Bill has earned the title of “Dean of Michigan News Anchors.”
He is an inductee in the Michigan Associated Press “Journalism Hall of Fame” and has been honored with numerous national and international awards including The Aurora Awards, New England Chapter of the National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences, an international “Freddie” award for outstanding medical reporting, as well as honors from the Michigan Associated Press, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and New England chapter of the National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences.
Bill Harris Michigan Broadcasting
Another of Bill’s significant contributions to Michigan broadcasting is in the area of entertainment programming. In 1986, he was the creator and driving force behind the first-ever “Christmas Pops with the Saginaw Symphony Orchestra” television broadcast.
It was under his leadership and inspiration that it grew into a holiday musical tradition that was enjoyed statewide through an innovative partnership with Michigan Public Broadcasting.
Bringing the arts to viewers across Michigan is still one of Bill’s passions having produced close to 50 broadcasts from “Christmas Pops”, to “Holiday Pops” and “A Patriotic Salute” with the Flint Symphony Orchestra, to featuring various community performing arts groups in the award-winning “A Classy, Brassy Christmas & More.”
Bill is also credited with helping build an ongoing and open dialogue to bridge gaps between law enforcement and the media in Michigan. Bill has worked with journalists and local, county, and state police agencies across Michigan to build trust and communication about the challenges facing journalists.
His efforts have resulted in police working better alongside broadcasters to help fulfill their mandate of informing viewers on matters of public interest. For many years, he also donated his time as a sworn volunteer reserve deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Paramedic Division.
Bill is an inductee in the Michigan Associated Press Broadcast Journalism Hall of Fame. He has held membership in the Radio Television Digital News Association and Sigma Delta Chi. Bill is a member and has held an executive position with the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Science. He annually is involved in peer judging for EMMY, Associated Press, RTDNA and Aurora Award competitions.
Bill Harris Volunteer
Bill is also extremely involved in his community. He volunteers with groups including: the MacFarlane Park Veterans Memorial, American Red Cross, Cystic Fibrosis, Children’s Miracle Network, UNFC, United Way, Flint Institute of Music, St. Andrew’s Soup Kitchen, Catholic Charities, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, The 100 Club, The Thin Blue Line and the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. In 1981, he was installed by Bishop Kenneth Povich as a “Minister of Service,” assigned to serving the needs of Flint’s urban community.
Bill Harris Facts
Bill and his wife Jane just celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary. They have two children, two grandchildren and live in Grand Blanc.
Bill was among seven people to be recognized at the luncheon held at the MotorCity Casino in Detroit. Other Silver Circle honorees, recognizing 25 years of service, included:
- Catherine Behrendt, Community and Program Director at WZZM-TV
- Joel Boykin, videographer at Pulsebeat.tv
- Tom Brocklehurst, photographer at WJRT-TV
- Ro Coppola, Executive Producer at WDIV-TV
- Randy Henry, director at WDIV-TV
- Lila Lazarus, founder, and CEO at Lila Productions
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