William L. “Bill” Garrison, age 72, formerly of Atchison, died peacefully at his home on April 4, 2020, in Basehor, Kansas, due to Agent Orange-related Parkinsonism.
Bill was born on November 22, 1947, in Atchison, KS, to Harold and Dorothy (Reynolds) Garrison. He was raised in Atchison, graduating from Atchison High School in 1966, and attended Highland Community College. In 1967, Bill was drafted to serve in the United States Army, where he fought bravely in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 and was awarded two Purple Hearts. In 1971, he married Jeri Jeffries and they had two daughters, Amanda and Piper. After the two divorced, he met and married Janet Garrison on May 29, 1993.
Bill had several jobs in his lifetime, but most recently worked as a manufacturer’s representative in the hardware and home improvement industry in the Kansas City area. In 2004, he became involved with Run for the Wall, a cross-country motorcycle event organized to bring awareness and pay tribute to all veterans. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed spending time perfecting his swing on the golf course, most recently on the island of Hawaii with his sons-in-law and grandson. He was also a big fan of KU Basketball.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Janet, of the home; his daughters and sons-in-law, Amanda and Jason Drury of Atchison, and Piper and Jason Stahl of Valley Falls, Kansas; grandchildren Caroline, Cameron, and Caitlin Drury, and Dakota TeBeest; a great-granddaughter, Summer Rose TeBeest; his mother, Dorothy Garrison Price, Atchison; his brother, David (Linda) Garrison, Wichita, KS; his sisters, Kathryn Soph, Atchison, Sarah (Doug) Bounds, Leavenworth, KS, and Jane McLain, Edmond, OK; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Zoey. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Garrison; his stepfather, Joseph Price; his brother, Michael Garrison; his brother in law, Greg McLain; and his beloved dogs, Ethel and Lucy.
A public memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who is entrusted with his arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.
