December 25, 1945 – January 1, 2026
William Glen Harvey was born December 25, 1945, in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. His childhood was part city-kid and part country-boy. His family moved to a farm in southern Missouri in the small town of Redford. There was no running water in the early days of farm life, and they were one of the first of the surrounding neighbors to have indoor plumbing. There were many adventures during his time there that later made for great storytelling.
He served honorably in the U.S. Navy submarine squadron aboard the USS Archerfish and the USS Pickerel during the Vietnam era. After his military service, his career took many paths—from working on a barge on the Mississippi River, to the police department, to woodworker and antique refinisher, hardware and construction, and shipper. However, much of his adult life was devoted to his passion for working with wildlife.
His patience, calming presence, and easy-going demeanor made him an ideal candidate for animal-human interaction. He worked with exotic animals in preserves, sanctuaries, and educational programs. During this time, he personally raised both a cougar and a tiger from infancy after they were abandoned by their mothers. He bottle-fed both, though their different feeding schedules allowed little time for sleep. Despite their differences, they grew up like siblings and learned from each other with Bill’s guidance. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he deeply treasured.
He also volunteered and worked in programs focused on reintroducing wolves into the wild, repopulation efforts, and public education, helping to raise funds for those causes. He served as a cruelty investigation officer for the Humane Society, worked with Animal Control, and with Missouri Wildlife Rescue, offering rehabilitation, protection, and release. Bill often said that working with animals may not have paid as well as other fields, but it was extremely rewarding, and he wouldn’t have traded it.
After retiring, he could almost always be found working on some project that needed fixing or building. He loved nature, our home on the river, and was a friend to all animals. He loved his family and friends and was deeply grateful for the many wonderful memories shared and for our Catholic faith. He enjoyed playing guitar and singing, especially songs that told a story.
After an almost year-long battle with cancer and complications, facing it with his positive, determined, yet calm “one day at a time” attitude, Jesus called him home. He passed on January 1, 2026. By all who had the chance to know him—his family and friends—he is truly missed and always will be. I/We love you, sweet William.
He is survived by Mary Delaney and many loving cousins.
