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General First nameJohn Waller (Bitsy)
LastnameHarrison
GenderMale
CountryUnited States of America
Date of birth1940-11-04
Place of birthRoanoke City, Virginia, United States of America
Date of death2021-10-29
Place of deathVirginia, United States of America


About

John Waller "Bitsy" Harrison, age 80, died October 29, 2021, at his home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Husband of Terry G. Swain and the late Sarah T. Harrison, he is also survived by stepdaughters, Farah Van Genderen Bender (Patrick) and Melissa Swain Hicks; step-grandchildren, Zachary Van Genderen (Alexis), Dustin Hicks, and Aislyn Van Genderen; a step-great-granddaughter; and his brother, Arthur W. Harrison, Jr. (Lesley Daly). Bitsy had many devoted friends, some lifelong.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur W. Harrison, Sr. and Katherine Wilber Harrison; and step-grandson, Ian Van Genderen.

Born in Roanoke, Bitsy grew up in Richmond where he was a well-known tennis player and all-around athlete. He was proud to display the Thalhimer Trophy, which he was allowed to keep having won that tennis tournament three times in a row. He achieved a rank of 18th in the country before retiring to attend UVA law school.

He was a partner with McGuire Woods, litigating and consulting in important cases all over the United States. A few years after retiring, he moved to Stingray Point where he was able to enjoy the water view and bird watching, his favorite pastimes.

Media


Archive statistics Career1961 - 1971
Tournament wins5
Matches85
Match wins52


Tournament wins 1966 - Thalheimer Invitation (Amateur)
1965 - Thalheimer Invitation (Amateur)
1965 - Blue and Gray Invitation (Open)
1964 - Thalheimer Invitation (Amateur)
1963 - Middle Atlantic Championships (Open)


Tournaments Northern Lawn Tennis Association Tournament - 1971 Dewar Cup First Leg - 1968 US Open - 1966 US International Indoor Championships - 1966 Richmond Indoor Championships - 1966 Pittsburgh Indoor - 1966 Charlotte - 1966 Southern Indoors - 1966 Thalheimer Invitation - 1966 US Open - 1965 Newport Casino - 1965 Southern Championships - 1965 Cincinnati - 1965 US Clay Courts - 1965 Western States Championships - 1965 Southampton Invitation (Long Island) - 1965 Blue and Gray Invitation - 1965 Thalheimer Invitation - 1965 US Open - 1964 Newport Casino - 1964 US Clay Courts - 1964 Western States Championships - 1964 Southampton Invitation (Long Island) - 1964 Pennsylvania Lawn Tennis Championship - 1964 Thalheimer Invitation - 1964 Newport - Consolation - 1964 US Open - 1963 Newport Casino - 1963 Eastern Grass Court Championships - 1963 Tennessee Valley Invitation - 1963 Cincinnati - 1963 Pennsylvania Lawn Tennis Championship - 1963 Middle Atlantic Grass Courts - 1963 Middle Atlantic Championships - 1963 Central Virginia Invitation - 1962 Middle Atlantic Championships - 1962 US Open - 1961 Eastern Grass Court Championships - 1961