Despite the positive attention, Harris remains humble, expressing gratitude and the belief that he was simply doing the right thing. In 2013, he told Today, “I am not trying to say that I am (a) saint, but I am no devil either.”
Viewed as an angel by the woman and her fiance whom he helped, they decided to give back by setting up an online fund for Harris with a goal of $1,000. Darling shared, “We set it up because a lot of people who had been touched by the story expressed interest in helping Billy Ray.”
The challenges of homelessness were tough for Harris, but he was relieved that those days were behind him. Reflecting on his past, he expressed gratitude, saying, “When I think of the past, I think, thank God that it’s over. I mean, I feel human now.” By the end of 2013, Harris had secured a part-time job and was reconnecting with his family, marking a radical transformation in his life over the course of the year.
Remaining in Kansas City, Harris still encountered some of the individuals who had supported him during his time on the streets. He noted, “I still see some of the same people, but only now, instead of coming up and giving me change, they’re coming up shaking my hand and, you know, saying ‘hey, good job.'”
With the hardships of the past behind him, Harris is eager to embrace the remainder of his life. He expressed gratitude, stating, “This is what they call the American Dream. I want to thank all the people that helped me out. I want them to see where all their efforts, blessings, and kindness are going.”