Wayne B. Harris Sr.

Wayne B. Harris Sr. was chairman of the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners, the panel known as the county liquor board, and a longtime figure in Maryland law enforcement and public service. Born on 25 June 1946 in Baltimore, he made his home in Severn, Maryland. He died on 17 September 2026 at the age of 80.

Harris built a working life across several fields. He served with the Anne Arundel County Police and the Baltimore City Police, later worked as a CSX Railroad engineer, and then became a builder with Koch Home. His greatest public role came at the liquor board. After serving as chief inspector, he was nominated for the chairmanship and appointed chair in 2023 with the backing of the county's state Senate delegation. The three-member board licenses and regulates hundreds of bars, restaurants, private clubs, hotels and a casino in a county of more than half a million residents.

As chair, Harris was a public face of the board during years of scrutiny. He appeared before state lawmakers to describe the board's practices and to weigh proposed reform and expansion of the commission. Local reporting by Capital Gazette and The Banner covered his work as chief inspector and later as chair, including enforcement of pandemic-era rules and debates over oversight and transparency. Harris defended the board's independence and record even as critics argued the panel needed stronger accountability.

Away from official duties he was active in Severn community life. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council at Holy Trinity and served with the Sons of the American Legion. Family and friends remembered his love of golf and boating and his enthusiasm for the Baltimore Ravens.

Harris died on 17 September 2026. His cause of death was not made public. Stallings Funeral Home in Pasadena, Maryland, published the family's obituary, which described him as a cherished husband, father and friend. Visitation was set for 28 and 29 September 2026 at Stallings Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was scheduled for 30 September 2026 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Glen Burnie, followed by burial at Glen Haven Memorial Park. Memorial contributions were invited to Senior Dog Sanctuary in Severn, Hospice of the Chesapeake, or the American Cancer Society.

He is survived by his wife, Linda S. Harris of Severn; children Ryan M. Harris and Denise Hess and their families; brother David F. Harris; sisters Bonnie M. Brady and Susan L. Johnston; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Milton and Elaine Harris, and by his son Wayne B. Harris Jr.