GARNER, WILLIAM J.
William Junior Garner died at the age of 90 on April 29, 2013 at Life Care in Casper, WY. He was born on November 26, 1922 in North Platte, NE to Noland and Pauline (Desmore) Garner.
Bill grew up in Casper. He enlisted in the Marines the day Pearl Harbor was bombed and served as a Marine Raider in the Pacific Islands during World War II. After Bill”s discharge, he went to work for the CB&Q Railroad and 34 years later retired from the BN Railroad. Bill met his wife, Juanita, while she was a telegrapher with the railroad. They were married almost 63 years. Bill and Juanita bought a house on Poplar Street in 1952 and never moved until Juanita”s death in 2009.
Bill enjoyed fishing and hunting, rock hunting, reloading, collecting antiques and making jade jewelry. Some who knew Bill may remember visiting his very unique basement with his treasured finds displayed in special cases. He only fished with flies, carried only one bullet as he said he only needed one shot and rarely came up empty handed when out rock hunting.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita; his sister, Shirley Day and his brother Jack Garner. He is survived by his children William (Janet) Garner of Casper and their children, Gayle (Tom) Walsh of Saline, MI and Jeff (Christy) Garner of Casper; Dora (Larry) Fink of Worland, WY and their children Steve (Jody) Fink of Bozeman, MT; Tom (Jennifer) Fink of Missoula, MT and Alison Fink of Broomfield, CO; and Shelly (Mike) Haass of Bellingham, WA and their children Diana and Natalie; and by 8 great-grandchildren.
A family burial service was held May 3, 2013 at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery Chapel with an Honor Guard tribute. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church, 332 E. 2nd St., Casper, WY. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Casper Autism Society, Casper Special Olympics or a charity of the donor”s choice would be appreciated. Please come and remember special moments with the family of Bill and Juanita Garner followed by a small lunch reception.