William C. Garrett

William Chester Garrett more commonly known as “Bill” or “Wild Bill”, 77, of Fairbury, NE passed away April 5, 2021 at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury. Bill was born July 27, 1943 to Chester Varden & Wilma Freda (Smith) Garrett in Marysville, KS. On December 23, 1960 he was united in marriage to Brenda Saville in Blue Rapids, KS and together they raised their daughter Kristina. Bill attended Army Basic Training in Fort Lewis, Washington. He climbed the ranks and became a drill sergeant and served in the Army Reserves for eight years.

Over the years, Bill worked at Stanley Hy-Klas grocery store and the Georgia Pacific Plant in Blue Rapids. He acquired a dozer from his dad and continued the family dozing business. Then, he owned and operated Garrett Construction doing concrete and residential construction based out of Blue Rapids and later in Topeka, KS. After moving to Fairbury, NE, he worked at Endicott Clay Products and did mechanic work as a side business.

His hobbies were ever evolving as he mastered one he would move on to the next. In the early years, he enjoyed hunting deer, coons and coyotes, river fishing, camping, traveling and flying with his dad in his dad’s planes. Bill had his own darkroom for developing his black and white photos particularly of the landscape and family. He built his family a home south of Blue Rapids. He restored antique cars and participated in many car shows. Bill then moved on to the crafts of wood working, glass etching, oil painting, gold panning, baking and jewelry making. He was continually learning about his interests in history, geology, the space program and new technologies such as computers. In later years, he cherished most visiting with his family and friends. He never knew a stranger. Bill was always tinkering to create new gadgets for his daily use.

Becoming a “Grandad” was a great source of pride for him. He loved spending time with his grandkids and attending their activities. Bill was always a patient and knowledgeable teacher. He was never too rushed to explain what or why he was doing something or how something worked. He was always ready for a challenge – “No” or “Not Possible” was not in his vocabulary. He had a strong will to live and defied the medical odds time after time. Bill was a vibrant storyteller who will be greatly missed, but he will live on through the many memories being shared about him now and in the future.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Donald Garrett; sister, Sue Garrett; later life companion, Mabel Miller.

He is survived by daughter Kristina (Kevin) Riggle of Endicott; grandchildren Kody (Ayla) Riggle of Fairbury; Kara Riggle (significant other Dustin Kenning) of Steele City; sister Norma Drebes (Sweeney) Megenity of Barnes, KS; step-great-grandchildren James and Kiera Bey; Aunts Jo Hetzke and Julia Hodges and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be Monday, April 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery - Blue Rapids, Kansas. Viewing will be Friday 3 - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 1 - 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 - 8 p.m. The family will greet friends on Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.  Memorials will go to the Family's Choice.