William Harker

William R. Harker, 73, of Oakland, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023, at Dennett Road Manor in Oakland, Maryland. Born in Annapolis Maryland, he was preceded in death by his parents, LCDR William P. Harker of Milpitas, California and his mother, Patricia I. Harker of Melbourne, Australia, where she was an actress in the theater before meeting Bill's dad

William grew up primarily in California and Japan, moving every few years as his father was a career officer in the US Navy. He graduated in 1967 from the Nile C. Kinnick High School in Yokohama, Japan (also known as Yo-Hi).

He served in the merchant marine before enrolling at the University of San Francisco. Bill graduated from USF in 1975 with a BA in Government and a Certificate in Asian Studies. In 1976, he received a MA in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He continued his graduate studies in political science, with a focus on Thailand, at Ohio State University.

After completing his education, Bill worked in Washington, DC for Representative Tom Carper (now US Senator) and the House Select Committee on Hunger. His last position was for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he was a primary author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also served as a political consultant in Philadelphia. He eventually retired to Garrett County, Maryland, where he enjoyed the company of friends, games of Trivia, and participating in karaoke at his beloved Black Bear Restaurant in Deep Creek.

Bill was a renaissance man. He wrote a book, loved all types of music, and played viola. He was a voracious reader, who maintained a large personal library, and avid golfer, being a single digit handicapper in his prime. He had a particular interest in crime fiction and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Rex Stout (Nero Wolf) were two of his favorites. When he wasn't reading, he loved to cook and watch Perry Mason and old Westerns.

He is survived by his brother Drew, who lives in McLean VA; his sister- in -law, Victoria; his nephews, Zachary, Ethan, and Benjamin; and many cousins, both in Australia (Donald and Sally) and California (Richard, Dennis, Ron, Denise and Kevin).

William's wishes to be cremated were honored, A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The C &S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland, Maryland is honored to be serving the Harker family.