"Though we are devastated to be without him, we feel blessed to have had such a powerful force in our lives, someone who instilled in each of us the importance of education, service and devotion to God and family," his daughter said.
Harold was born in Philadelphia to Watson and Anna Miller. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1937 and went on to Wilberforce University, from which he graduated with a degree in journalism in 1941.
At Wilberforce, Harold became interested in serving in the military when his first professor of military science was Col. Benjamin O. Davis Sr., who later became the first African-American general in the Army.
As a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Wilberforce, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserves upon graduation. He entered active duty with the 366th Infantry Regiment at Fort Devens, Mass. An injury cut short his Army career, however, and he was discharged in 1944.
While in the Army, he married his childhood sweetheart, Consuelo "Connie" Dale. They were members of the East Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, now Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. She died in 1991.
Harold took graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. He also completed the Administrative Law Judges' Seminar at George Washington University School of Law.
After graduating from Wilberforce, Harold worked for the Philadelphia Independent, an African-American weekly. He then became a caseworker for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare for two years, before transferring to the Board of Probation and Parole. He retired in 1979.
From 1969 to 1979, he was an criminal-justice instructor at Temple University and a regular lecturer at Villanova University. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Probation, Parole and Corrections, and was the first African-American to serve as president of the Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association.
Harold was active with the Krams Avenue branch of the Salvation Army and served as commissioner of the William Penn District of the Boy Scouts of America.
Harold joined the Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity while at Wilberforce. In Philadelphia, he became active with the Mu Omega Chapter, which honored him with a Founders Award. He also received an award from the fraternity's Leadership Confernece for his more than 70 years of service to the frat.
He was a co-founder of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Wilberforce University Alumni Association, and was also honored by the association He spearheaded a drive to establish the Class of ‘41 Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wilberforce and in 1999, was inducted into the National Alumni Hall of Fame. He was also honored by the Negro College Fund.
On July 7, 2001, he married his longtime friend Genester Nix Wilson.
Harold was a tireless traveler, having explored the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, South America and other destinations, and cruised the Mediterranean.
Besides his wife and daughter, he is survived by a son, Harvey; four step-children, Genester Wilson-King, John S. Wilson Jr., Lucas Wilson and Adrienne Hubbard; four grandchildren; and seven great-granchildren.
Services: Memorial service was held Monday at Second Baptist Church of Germantown, Germantown Avenue and Upsal Street. 3 n
Contact John F. Morrison at 215-854-5573 or morrisj@phillynews.com, or on Twitter at @johnfmorrisWITH
