Obituary
Ishpeming – William G. Garrett, age 89, of 624 Mather Ave. passed away early Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming where he had resided since Oct. 16th. He was under the care of the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.
William was born in Ishpeming on January 28, 1919 the son of the late John and Edith (Kelly) Garrett and was raised in Ishpeming, graduating from Ishpeming High School in 1936. William earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1940 from Northern Michigan University. He served as teacher and coach at Trenary High School from 1940 until 1941 and then at Morley High School until 1942.
William enlisted in the Army Air Corps in June of 1942. He honorably served his county as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps Eastern Flying Training Command, and went on to be a Pilot and Flight Commander of the B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber, 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force Stationed at Cerignola, Italy – Strategic Air Offense. He flew 35 strategic bombing missions over Europe, creating a severe shortage of German Oil supplies and all types of equipment for waging war. William received many honors and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross (two time recipient), Air Medal Award (four time recipient), Presidential Unit Citation Award (two time recipient), Bronze Service Star Award European-African Middle Eastern Combat Campaign, Silver Service Star Award European-African Middle Eastern Combat Campaign, World War II Victory Medal. William was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in November of 1945 with the rank of Captain. He was also honored as a member of the Aviation Wall of Honor at the Sawyer International Airport.
William married Evelyn C. Swanson on January 10, 1944 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. He served as a teacher and coach at St. Ignace High School from 1946 until 1947 when he served with the Veterans Administration in Escanaba as flight training technician until 1949. William served as principal at St. Ignace High School from 1949 until 1953 while earning his Master's Degree in 1952 from the University of Michigan. He did graduate work towards an Ed.S Degree at Michigan State University. In 1953, William began as the superintendent of the Gwinn Community School system where he worked until 1970. He then served as assistant superintendent and superintendent of Albion Public Schools until 1976. In 1976, William retired and returned to the Ishpeming area.
William was recognized in the 1962 and 1963 editions of "Who's Who in American Education" and "Who's Who in the Midwest recognized him in 1967. While back in Ishpeming, William served as a member of the Ishpeming Public Schools Board of Education from 1978 until 1982. He was presented the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of 20 or more years as an administrator in the public school system of Michigan by the Michigan Association of School Administrators in January 1977. He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church. Bill enjoyed deer hunting and spending time at camp.
William is survived by a daughter Bronwyn (Matt) Kitto and a son William (Diane) Garrett, III all of Ishpeming, seven grandchildren: Lisa Mongiat, Todd Storti, Cassie Kitto, Josh Kitto, Brian Garrett, Jennie Bureau and Bryn Garrett, three great grandchildren: Hannah Mongiat, Josh Kitto Jr., and Elizabeth Evelyn Bureau, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. William is also survived by a sister Majorie Leffler of Ishpeming, and a brother-in-law: George (Lillian) Swanson of Ishpeming. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Evelyn Garrett on Jan. 7, 2007, his parents, sister: Frances (Chester) Predeaux and infant brother John Douglas Garrett.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 10:00am until 11:00am on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Funeral Services will follow the visitation at 11:00am with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate, and Military Honors by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons – Todd Storti, Josh Kitto, Brian Garrett and Bryn Garrett, a great grandson – Josh Kitto Jr., and nephews Garrett Leffler and Jerry Predeaux.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church in Mr. Garrett's memory.
William was born in Ishpeming on January 28, 1919 the son of the late John and Edith (Kelly) Garrett and was raised in Ishpeming, graduating from Ishpeming High School in 1936. William earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1940 from Northern Michigan University. He served as teacher and coach at Trenary High School from 1940 until 1941 and then at Morley High School until 1942.
William enlisted in the Army Air Corps in June of 1942. He honorably served his county as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps Eastern Flying Training Command, and went on to be a Pilot and Flight Commander of the B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber, 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force Stationed at Cerignola, Italy – Strategic Air Offense. He flew 35 strategic bombing missions over Europe, creating a severe shortage of German Oil supplies and all types of equipment for waging war. William received many honors and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross (two time recipient), Air Medal Award (four time recipient), Presidential Unit Citation Award (two time recipient), Bronze Service Star Award European-African Middle Eastern Combat Campaign, Silver Service Star Award European-African Middle Eastern Combat Campaign, World War II Victory Medal. William was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in November of 1945 with the rank of Captain. He was also honored as a member of the Aviation Wall of Honor at the Sawyer International Airport.
William married Evelyn C. Swanson on January 10, 1944 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. He served as a teacher and coach at St. Ignace High School from 1946 until 1947 when he served with the Veterans Administration in Escanaba as flight training technician until 1949. William served as principal at St. Ignace High School from 1949 until 1953 while earning his Master's Degree in 1952 from the University of Michigan. He did graduate work towards an Ed.S Degree at Michigan State University. In 1953, William began as the superintendent of the Gwinn Community School system where he worked until 1970. He then served as assistant superintendent and superintendent of Albion Public Schools until 1976. In 1976, William retired and returned to the Ishpeming area.
William was recognized in the 1962 and 1963 editions of "Who's Who in American Education" and "Who's Who in the Midwest recognized him in 1967. While back in Ishpeming, William served as a member of the Ishpeming Public Schools Board of Education from 1978 until 1982. He was presented the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of 20 or more years as an administrator in the public school system of Michigan by the Michigan Association of School Administrators in January 1977. He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church. Bill enjoyed deer hunting and spending time at camp.
William is survived by a daughter Bronwyn (Matt) Kitto and a son William (Diane) Garrett, III all of Ishpeming, seven grandchildren: Lisa Mongiat, Todd Storti, Cassie Kitto, Josh Kitto, Brian Garrett, Jennie Bureau and Bryn Garrett, three great grandchildren: Hannah Mongiat, Josh Kitto Jr., and Elizabeth Evelyn Bureau, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. William is also survived by a sister Majorie Leffler of Ishpeming, and a brother-in-law: George (Lillian) Swanson of Ishpeming. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Evelyn Garrett on Jan. 7, 2007, his parents, sister: Frances (Chester) Predeaux and infant brother John Douglas Garrett.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 10:00am until 11:00am on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Funeral Services will follow the visitation at 11:00am with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate, and Military Honors by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons – Todd Storti, Josh Kitto, Brian Garrett and Bryn Garrett, a great grandson – Josh Kitto Jr., and nephews Garrett Leffler and Jerry Predeaux.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church in Mr. Garrett's memory.
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