COLUMBUS, Ohio - Former Ohio Senate President Bill Harris has passed away at the age of 83.
Harris, a Republican from Ashland, died Monday morning. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 23 years, seeing tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. He entered the Ohio House in 1995, moving to the Ohio Senate in 2000. He served as Senate President from 2005 to 2010.
"Today Ohio Republicans are mourning the loss of a beloved member of our party, former Senate President Bill Harris. As a Marine, small business owner, devoted family member and public servant, President Harris embodied the American Dream. All who knew President Harris know of his kind heart and commitment to service. On behalf of the Ohio Republican Party, I offer my sincere condolences to the Harris family. Our party and our state are better off thanks to his leadership," Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken said in a statement.
Secretary of State Jon Husted called Harris "one of the most decent people I have ever known who dedicated much of his life to serving others."