Obituary of William Reid Garrett

William Reid Garrett, Sr., 89, of Ozark, died Thursday evening, September 27, 2012, at his home. Funeral services will be 10:00 A. M. Monday, October 1, 2012, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Harry Circle officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 P. M. in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday afternoon from 3:00 P. M. until 5:00 P. M. William Reid Garrett, Sr., the son of Dr. and Mrs. James DeWitt Garrett, Sr., was born in Midland City, Alabama on May 21, 1923 where he grew up in a family with five siblings. Soon after his nineteenth birthday during World War II he entered the Army Air Corps. He was sent to Atlantic City, New Jersey, for basic training and afterwards stationed in Love Field, Dallas, Texas. After a few months at Love Field, Reid was transferred overseas to India with the Air Transport Command for two and one-half years. While stationed in India, he was elated when his brother, James DeWitt Garrett, Jr., was sent to the same location. He and his brother were able to share the same quarters for a few months before Reid returned to the States where he was discharged when the war ended. Subsequently after the discharge, he joined his parents in Montgomery, where they had relocated while he was in the service. Reid was one of the original eighteen veterans who attended Huntingdon College after the war making the institute co-educational for the first time in its history. He also attended the University of Alabama and the UA Center in Montgomery. During his tenure at school, he met his future wife, Bettye Brooks, who moved to Montgomery from Edison, Georgia. They were married in the Edison Baptist Church on September 15, 1948. In 1950 when the 131st Tank Battalion was mobilized, Reid accompanied them to Fort Knox, Kentucky as Battalion Sergeant Major. He received an appointment to Warrant Officer and was sent to Korea where he served with the 73rd Engineer Combat Battalion. He served 26 months of active duty during the Korean Conflict. The Garretts moved to Ozark, Alabama in March of 1961. Reid worked with his brother, Coleman Garrett, for several months before venturing into business for himself at the Western Auto Store. He sold his business after several years and became employed with the State of Alabama where he remained until his retirement in 1988. Reid also retired as a Warrant Officer from military service after 23 combined years of active duty, Reserves duty, and National Guard duty. Bettye and Reid's life primarily revolved around the activities of their four children. Reid served as President of PTA at the newly constructed Harry N. Mixon School, he was Chairman of the Children's Camp, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, for several years when they were held at the Perry Recreation Center, and he was involved in the activities of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Church of Christ and also attended Ozark Baptist Church with his wife Bettye. Reid was an avid and accomplished golfer with four holes-in-one- one at Ft. Rucker, two at Ozark Country Club and one at Willow Oaks Country Club. He also was a life long Alabama fan. Besides his wife Bettye, Reid is survived by his four children Bettye (Bebe) Garrett Bess and husband Randy of Enterprise, AL, Lynne Garrett Krometis and husband Jerry, Ozark, AL, Wm Reid Garrett, Jr., of Fuquay Varina, NC, Jane Garrett Harris and husband Greg Harris of Lake Martin, AL, grandson Patrick Arthur Schado, Jr., special companion Kodi, his rat terrier, and also surviving many nieces and nephews. Reid was preceded in death by three brothers- Richard Davis Garrett, James DeWitt Garrett, Jr., Coleman Garrett and one sister- Frances Garrett Frazer. The family would like to recognize and express their appreciation to special caregivers Tina Kather, Nealy Nelson and Martha Loper. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 2951 Flowers Road South - Suite 211, Atlanta, Georgia 30341; or to The American Cancer Society, 3054 McGehee Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36111. Service Information