of Conway, AR
June 4, 1947 - November 13, 2024
Bill Garrett, 77, of Conway, Arkansas passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from complications of COVID and pneumonia.
Bill was born on June 4, 1947 to Emma Jean Johnston Garrett and Wellington Hughes Garrett. He attended first grade in a one room schoolhouse in Holland, Arkansas. He attended second grade and onward in Greenbrier, graduating in 1965. Following graduation, he served in the United States Air Force as military police. He trained in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and served in Vietnam, leaving just days before the 1967 Tet Offensive, where his base was overrun and experienced hand to hand combat.
After returning home, he entered UCA for Pre-Pharmacy studies and graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in 1973. While in pharmacy school, he began working for Dewayne Goode at American Drugs where he continued employment when he graduated. During the subsequent years, Bill worked at, managed or owned several pharmacies-Sentry Drugstore, Rod's Pharmacy, Corner Drug Store and Medicine Shoppe. But his heart was always more in helping people than in business.
That love for people led him to become a bi-vocational pastor in 1981 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church for six years. How he loved those people and those years of his life. And they loved him-even when he went to sleep driving home from work, listening to his own sermon on tape and scraped his car down Mr. Brewer's barbed wire fence. Luckily the fence was repaired, but his reputation was not.
Later he had the privilege of pastoring Brumley Baptist Church, where he had the honor of serving more wonderful people, including his mother whom he loved dearly.
When life became too hectic, he decided his ministry would just be in the pharmacy. When time allowed, which was often back then, he would sit down in the waiting area and just encourage people coming in for medicine. Many widows came in to get a hug and a kiss on the cheek with their prescriptions. He retired in 2017 when heart problems and kidney failure leading to dialysis brought on by exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam affected his health so badly.
In his later years, he was an active member of the Life 10 small group in this church. He loved discussing the Word with his many friends there. Those friendships brought him great joy as they served the Lord together.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jean Garrett and brother, David Garrett. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Stripling and son, Jeffrey Irby. He is also survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Lynn Lay Garrett of Marshall, Arkansas; their children and grandchildren: Kenny and April (Garrett) Kinley, Lauren, Ashlyn and Luke; John and Jess (Clark) Garrett; John and Rachel (Garrett) Martinez, Hayden, Emma, Ian, Liam and Blaine. Only his love for the Lord superseded his love for his family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 16th at First Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas at 2:00 pm with Dr. Dale Wicker and Dr. Larry Pillow officiating. A private family burial will be held Tuesday at North Little Rock Veterans Cemetery.
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30 Condolence(s)
Patricia Walsh
Monday, November 18, 2024
So sorry for your loss. He was always helpful and caring.
Karen Matthews
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Lynn and family, I had the pleasure of knowing this fine man for many years. One of my favorite memories of Bill is when my daughter accidentally took all of her grandfather’s medicine. We had to rush to the pediatrician in NLR and Bill came out of the drug store and met the truck with a big dose of Benadryl after I had called him being so scared. He wouldn’t think about money, just get to the doctor to see that your girl is ok. He rally did love people! Hugs and prayers for all of you.
Patsy Fuller
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Lynn I am so sorry for the passing of Bill Bill was distant kin on his Mother's side of the family. Bill was a great Christian man. Prayers for you Lynn and all the family. Praying God's Blessings Love Patsy Sellers Fuller
Kaye Hoggard
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Lynn and family,
I am saddened by Bill's passing. I met him when I was your Lamaze teacher and our friendship was strong as he was my pharmacist. I express my sincere condolences to you all.
Bill was a friendly, helpful friend who always shared pictures of his family. He loved you all so much. And he loved the Lotd.
My prayers are with you.
Dick Longing
Saturday, November 16, 2024
One of nicest men I have ever known. Bill truly lived his Christianity. He is receiving his reward for all the kindness he has shown to people over the years.
Kaye Hoggard
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Lynn and family,
I am saddened by Bill's passing. I met him when I was your Lamaze teacher and our friendship was strong as he was my pharmacist. I express my sincere condolences to you all.
Bill was a friendly, helpful friend who always shared pictures of his family. He loved you all so much. And he loved the Lotd.
My prayers are with you.
Sarah Wang
Friday, November 15, 2024
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts.
Patsy Sellers Fuller
Friday, November 15, 2024
Lynn and all the family I am so sorry for the loss of Bill. He was a good man and great Christian man. I am a distant cousin on his mother’s side of the family. My grandfather was a Johnston. Lynn you and your family are in my prayers. God Bless You.
Stefanie Martindale
Friday, November 15, 2024
We will miss Mr. Garrett's friendly smile and neighborly talks. Prayers to all of you for peace and comfort.
Ed Eason
Friday, November 15, 2024
Lynn and family,
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a good friend, and a great example of a godly servant. I will be praying that his family is comforted by the God he always served until that certain reunion we will have with Bill in the clouds when we meet our Lord in the air.
In Christ,
Ed
Larry and Kathlyn Arnett
Friday, November 15, 2024
Our prayers are with your family. May God give you comfort.
Jessica R Miller
Friday, November 15, 2024
Mr. Garret you were a amazing person and friend. I thank you for prayer on days I truly needed them. You will be missed. My deepest condolences to all of Mr Garret loved ones.
Kaye Talley
Friday, November 15, 2024
Lynn, I am so sorry to hear about Bill. He was such a good man and so personable. I am praying for you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
Donna Berry
Friday, November 15, 2024
To all of Bill's Family - so sorry to hear of Bill passing away. I know he loved his family very much. I have many memories of going to Aunt Jean's house & being around Bill, David, and Gloria, when we were youngsters. As the years rolled by, I was able to visit Bill more than his siblings. May God's arms reach around all of you during this time and give you peace & healing. Prayers for all of you!
Tambrey Kinley
Friday, November 15, 2024
Love to your sweet family. Praying for you guys.
Jerry Williams
Friday, November 15, 2024
Bill was one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. Alway helpful & positive. He will be missed by many!!
Leslee Falls
Friday, November 15, 2024
There are so many memories of Bill, all graced with his grin and his laughter. The care he provided to his patients, his love for his family and his commitment to his Lord. Pizza on Saturdays and long chats made up for all that dusting of pharmacy shelves and glasses frames and he was right - I definitely learned drug names. Lynne, April, John and Rachel - you know how much he loved you all.
Bart Trickey
Friday, November 15, 2024
We are very sorry for your loss. Condolences to all of Bill’s family and friends.
Laura Garrett Whitehead
Friday, November 15, 2024
He will truly be missed! He was one of the kindest & silliest men I’ve ever known! Prayers for you, Lynn! April, John, Rachel you all are in my prayers, and I’m so sorry for your loss!
Chris and Cyndi Matthews
Friday, November 15, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Sending up prayers for your entire family.
Debi Ethridge
Friday, November 15, 2024
Bill was the kind of cousin that everyone needs. Always positive and was genuinely interested in whatt was happening in your life. Medicine Shoppe was blessed to have such a kind, caring pharmacist to serve their customers. I'll cherish all the memories of him.
Bill & Linda cossey
Friday, November 15, 2024
Condolences to the family…God’s comfort as you travel through the coming times.
Harrell Clendenin
Friday, November 15, 2024
RIP Bill. Peace be with you and may Perpetual Light shine on Thee.
Linda C Kelso
Friday, November 15, 2024
He was so kind whenever we all were together.... loved visiting with him and sharing Jesus/ God in our lives. He sure loved his family and God . Prayers for strength, comfort and peace during this time. Love you all so much.
Paulette Bryant
Friday, November 15, 2024
Lynn, April, Rachel, John, Gloria and all of the family, you are in my prayers and thoughts
Bill and Zebbie McBride
Friday, November 15, 2024
We were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You and your family are in our prayers.
Phyllis Clark
Friday, November 15, 2024
Lynn I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Phyllis Clark
Thursday, November 14, 2024
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Tom Erbach
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Bill was a good guy and will be missed.
Bob Barham
Thursday, November 14, 2024
I hate to hear of Mr. Bill's passing. :( He was such a nice man. Bill will be missed by many folks in the Conway community. My deepest sympathy and prayers to Bill's family and friends. Romans 8:28