William Garrison

MADISON/BARABOO
William M. "Bill" Garrison, age 72, passed on to eternal life on Thursday, October 15, 2015. Bill was born in Baraboo on November 7, 1942, to Bill and Eleanor (Wolters) Garrison. Growing up, and growing older, Bill was so fortunate to spend summers at the family’s Devil’s Lake cottage. After graduation from Baraboo High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served as a military police K-9 officer, on a Nike missile base, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After the military, Bill stayed in the Chicago area for several years, opening a dog training school and working in the restaurant business before returning home to open Garrison’s Restaurant, on U.S. Hwy 12 in Baraboo. During that same time, Bill was a Sauk County Deputy Sheriff, serving with integrity and common sense. He also became the father of one daughter and two sons.

After his children relocated to Texas, Bill spent time in sales in the Milwaukee area before moving to Madison, where he has worked and lived for 26 years. It is also where he met and ultimately married his soul mate, Mary Bridget Fargen. They enjoyed traveling, family holidays with Mary’s large family, and moon rises over the east bluff. Bill continued to cook his entire life. Whether grilling, smoking, or just using a stove, he could be counted on for good old home-cooked comfort food.

After Bill retired from Oscar Mayer, and Mary from Central Colony, they spent much more time at the lake, doing extensive remodeling and soaking in the peacefulness. Some years ago, Bill’s oldest son, Billy, returned to Madison; followed by grandson, Jordy, and 2 years ago, son, Keith. Bill so loved being with his ‘boys’. He was so happy to spend time with his daughter, Carrie, and grandchildren, Essex, Evan, Phoenix, and Gryphon this summer.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family. Missing him in this life are the love of his life, Mary; his sister, Rita Garrison, Waunakee; his children and grandchildren. He also touched the lives of in-laws; brother, Joe and Pat Fargen; sisters, La La and Jim Pauls, and Maureen and Ray Kepler; as well as many other family members and friends.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison. Visitation will be on Friday at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Final resting place will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo.