Funeral services for Billy (Bill) W. Garrett, 93, were held on Monday, January 5, at Emory Baptist Church, with Richard Piles officiating.
Mr. Garrett died on December 31, 2025. He was born on February 14, 1932, in Miller Grove, to Thomas Ray Garrett and Oma C. Burns Garrett.
At the age of 14, Bill accepted Christ as his Savior at Miller Grove Presbyterian Church, a faith that guided his life and service. He graduated from Miller Grove High School in 1953 and later worked in the Kansas wheat harvest before joining the United States Army in 1954. He served in the Missile Division, including time stationed in El Paso, Texas, and Mainz, Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1955.
On September 1, 1956, he married the love of his life, Shirley Joyce Willis. They began their life together in Waco where he worked for Zales Jewelry and attended Baylor University at night. The couple later returned to East Texas, where he earned his master’s degree from East Texas State University in Commerce.
Mr. Garrett devoted his career to education, teaching high school in Tioga, Caddo Mills, Mesquite, and Emory. He also served in the Education Department of the Texas Justice System from 1968 to 1973. His commitment to public service extended into the community through his work with the Rains Independent School District Board, the Rains County Appraisal District, and the East Texas Council of Governments.
A man of deep faith, Mr. Garrett served his church in many roles, including Sunday School teacher, director, and pastor search committee member. He was also active in numerous professional organizations, including the Texas State Teachers Association, National Education Association, Parent Teacher Association, and the Teachers Retirement Association.
He found joy in the outdoors—fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and Canada’s Lake of the Woods, hunting, ranching, and raising cattle. Alongside Shirley, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Mr. Garrett is survived by his children, Sharon (Greg) Henry, Vicki Hoodwin, and Todd (Lanetta) Garrett; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Oma Lea Garrett Nelson of Sulphur Springs.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Nelda Carroll and Flo Coleman; brothers, James, Duane and Edwin Garrett; and his beloved wife, Shirley Joyce Willis Garrett.