Willard Russell Garnett, 95, blessed Heaven peacefully on June 15, 2024, surrounded by family. He was the husband of loving late wife Marie Garnett; brother to Lorraine (John) Steinkuhler, beloved father of Michael Garnett (Michael Myers), Stephen Garnett (Susan), and David Garnett (Deborah); dear Grandfather of Millie (Andy) Dyson, Justin (Cheyenne) Garnett, Adam (Joanna) Garnett, Josh Garnett, and Erin Garnett; doting Great Grandfather of Abby, Ethan, Hailey, Natalie, Emory, Emma, Myles, and Evan. He was a dear Uncle, Great Uncle, Cousin, and Friend.
Gracing the Earth in St. Louis, MO on January 21, 1929, to the late Willard and Loretta Garnett, Will was a graduate of Soldan High School where he further went on to educate as a Drafter. It was in St. Louis where he met the love of his life, Marie, at Wesley House. After marrying on April 26, 1952, Will went on to serve in the Korean War as a model maker of Korean jets for Navy Fighter Pilot training. Will returned from war and he and Marie spent half of his life in St. Louis, MO before moving to Tupelo, MS in 1978.
Will’s intelligence was unmatched. He was the families Google, long before the Internet had been thought up. Will could do and fix just about anything and shared his knowledge and skillset with anyone that would listen – and some that had too. Will taught his three boys all about how things worked: plumbing, modeling, electrical, and wood working. He encouraged them to utilize the shared knowledge to help anyone in need, and continued instilling this trait in his grandchildren.
Will lit up the world with his work at Day-Brite. He began his career as a 17-year-old boy at the loading docks in St. Louis. From there he worked his way up until he began drafting and design work where he owned a multitude of patents that changed the way lighting was utilized across the world before retiring after 47 years in 1994. He treasured his work so dearly that he continued as an independent contractor for many years after retirement.
In his free time, he enjoyed fly-fishing, and cherished his fishing trips to Bennet Springs, MO with his sons. He loved watching any sporting event Notre Dame was playing and spent countless hours enjoying St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Will inherited his love of wood working from his father and loved to create items to continue sharing his passion with others. His favorite works included a manger scene for his beloved St. James Parish in Tupelo, many wooden toys for his grandchildren, and countless homes he was able to design and build with Habitat for Humanity in Tupelo where he was able to revolutionize their construction by building house wall units in warehouses and transporting for assembly on site.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM on Monday, June 17, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 9 AM to service time. Burial will take place at Tupelo Memorial Park. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to serve their friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 252 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Habitat for Humanity, 1242 S Green St, Tupelo, MS 38804. The family expresses gratitude for your many kind expressions of sympathy.
