In April of 1912, Mr. William A. Harris, then a young man who had just completed his course at the Echols School of Embalming in Cincinnati, OH, returned to Abbeville to assume the junior partnership in the newly formed Harris and Calvert Funeral Directors and Practical Embalmers. The business occupied a small space in the rear of the Calvert Furniture Store.
As the years passed, the business expanded. In 1918, a new building was erected to house the undertaking plant. Most locals remember this building as Nickles Dry Cleaners. In 1921, Mr. Harris purchased the interest of Mr. W.A. Calvert and operated the business personally.
In 1927, realizing the need to enlarge, Mr. Harris rented the building on the square near the Eureka Hotel (Belmont Hotel). Here, he made changes as needed in that day and time. A small chapel, ample display room, a business office and a reception room seemed to answer those needs. With the progress of Abbeville and the changing demands of funeral service, this place soon became inadequate. One of the greatest objections to the crowded area was the lack of available parking space.