Rev. William H. "Bill" Garrett, 83 of Hanover passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in his villa at Homewood at Plum Creek. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to Marianne (Lefever) Garrett.

Born September 23, 1937 in Hanover, he was the son of the late Charles W. and H. Marie (Anthony) Garrett.

Bill is a graduate of Eichelberger High School, class of 1955, Albright College, Reading PA and United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.

Bill served in ministry for 39 years. He was the National Youth Director in Dayton, Ohio for the Evangelical United Brethren Church for 4 years. Following the merger with the Methodist Church, he worked for the Board of Evangelism in Nashville, TN as the Director of Youth Projects for the United Methodist Church. In 1971, Bill returned to parish ministry. He served churches in Atlantic City, NJ, Springfield, PA, Warminster, PA, Mohnton, PA, and Palmyra, PA. He was District Superintendent in the North District of the Eastern PA Conference from 1992-1995. Prior to retirement, he was Chaplain at Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, PA for 2 years, retiring in 2002.

Following retirement, Bill and Marianne moved to a family home in Pleasant Hill, PA. In 2006, Bill and his wife moved to Homewood at Plum Creek. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hanover, active in United Methodist Men (UMM) and Covenant Brothers. Additionally, he taught Adult Sunday School. He was a member of the Eastern PA Conference Retirees Association of the UMC and Phi Beta Club. Bill volunteered with the Changing Lives Shelter of the Hanover Area Council of Churches and a former member of the Lions Club.

Music was a huge part of Bill's life and he loved to share his musical gifts with others. He sang in the First UMC Senior Choir, the Hanover Community Singers and shared his piano skills in many ways in his community of Homewood. Most of all, he is remembered as a gentle spirit who impacted countless lives. He lived his faith with grace, compassion and humility.

In addition to his wife, Rev. Garrett, is survived by 3 children; Susan R. Kalbaugh (wife of the late Karl) of Falls Church, VA, Scott A. Garrett and his wife, Linda, of Wallingford, PA, and Michelle R. Tomczak and her husband, Anthony, of West Reading, PA; Sister, Amelia J. Garland and her husband, Doug, of Pleasant Hill, PA; 7 grandchildren: Devon, Nathan, Stephen, Reed, Carly, Owen and William.

A private family burial will be held at Strasburg Mennonite Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at a later date at First United Methodist Church in Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) by visiting www.umcmission.org or by mail to UMCOR; P.O. 9068 New York, NY 10087-9068 or to the Benevolent Fund of Homewood at Plum Creek, 425 Westminster Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331.

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