Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s Bill and Brenda Harris owned and operated the Oriental Marina and Restaurant, the home base of the sailing community at that time. The Harris’ warm and friendly demeanor attracted folks to the establishment, particularly boaters who were welcomed with open arms in both the restaurant and upstairs at The Topside. Sailors enjoyed the wind and waters of the Neuse River by day and great food and friends at The Marina by night. Bill and Brenda did it right.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of Pamlico County High School. He was the captain and quarterback of the football team and a gifted student athlete. Bill served as a student government officer and was voted the most popular male student of the class of ’59. In 1963, Bill graduated from North Carolina State University. While there, he served on the Honor Code Board and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. After graduation, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but he soon found his way home to Oriental.

Brenda was an All-American basketball player. Bill and Brenda’s sons, Bill Jr. and Brad, attended PCHS and were both excellent football players themselves. The Harris’s were strong advocates for sports programs at PCHS. They were instrumental in reviving the PCHS Booster Club and bringing new life to the organization. To raise money for PCHS athletics, Bill began the Annual Booster Club Gala. He and Brenda also spearheaded the drive for the new football stadium, built in 1988.

In 1989, Bill passed away unexpectedly. To keep his memory alive, his family and friends created The Bill Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund, combining his dedication to the sailing community in Oriental with his commitment to Pamlico County High School athletics. The Oriental Cup Regatta began as a fundraiser for the Scholarship. The Regatta has become a sailing tradition in Oriental, bringing people together from across the state in friendly competition. As you race past Garbacon, Adam’s Creek, and Oriental 1, sail fast. As you cross the finish line, tip your hat to Bill.