Bill Garnett passed away peacefully at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington on July 20, 2013, surrounded by his family.
William Ernest Garnett was born on December 21, 1946 in Tacoma. Bill spent his childhood in Rosedale, playing in the bay with his brother Greg, his cousins, and his dog Yogi. After graduating from Peninsula High School in 1965, he attended the University of Washington, where he studied history.
Prior to completing his studies, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, obtaining the rank of Sergeant and completing a tour of duty in Vietnam. While stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, he met his first wife Linda McEneany. The two married on May 20, 1972 and moved to Seattle, where they had their first son, Nathan. Bill finished his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and then earned a J.D. at the University of Puget Sound School of Law.
In 1977, Bill opened up a law practice in Oroville, Wash., where Bill and Linda soon welcomed a daughter, Jenny, and another son, Derek. In addition to his law practice, Bill enjoyed the outdoors and was an active member of the community in Oroville – some of his many activities included coaching youth soccer, reading cowboy poetry at community events, and membership at Trinity Episcopal Church.
In 1998 Bill moved to Bend, Ore. to begin a new career in the technology industry. He married Barbara McPeak on Dec. 21, 1998 in Tulsa, Okla. The couple eventually returned to Bill’s hometown of Gig Harbor, where Bill and Barbara enjoyed a life of companionship, friends and family. Bill particularly enjoyed being a grandfather, a role he was born to play, after the births of his grandsons Willie, Pete, and Charlie.
Bill was a voracious reader and a great storyteller. Throughout his life, Bill entertained family and friends with his stories, with each tale perfectly crafted and laced with his signature humor.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret, and is survived by his wife Barbara, brother Greg (Karen), children Nathan (Sarah), Jenny, and Derek, and grandsons William, Peter and Charles.
Donations in his honor may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
A casual memorial party will be held in Bill’s honor on the afternoon of Aug. 10, beginning at noon, at Esther Bricques Winery, 42 Swanson Mill Road, Oroville, Wash. The family looks forward to joining his friends in remembering Bill.
