Garland “Bill” Fairbairn, 84, of Kosse, Texas passed away on January 23, 2020. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin, Texas. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Stranger Community Church officiated by Pastor Don Unsell with reception to follow at the Kosse Community Center.
Bill was born on January 3, 1936 to Andrew Grady Fairbairn and Ida Ruth Mitchell Fairbairn in Kosse, Texas. He married Carolyn Swinnea on June 5, 1965 in Fort Worth. Bill graduated from Marlin High School and earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from University of Texas at Austin after his service in the United States Army. Bill and Carolyn lived in Marlin, Texas where he was a CPA and cattle rancher. Bill loved to travel, spend time with his family, and serving others. Bill was an active member in the Marlin and Kosse community, serving and volunteering at the Marlin Presbyterian Church, Kosse Methodist Church, Stranger Community Church, Lott Presbyterian Church, The Samaritan House, Kosse Heritage House, The Eutaw Mason Lodge, The Limestone County Farm Bureau and various other community organizations.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn; sister, Effie Jean Buckley and her husband Buck Buckley; brothers, Grady Lynn Fairbairn and James Fairbairn.
Survivors include his nieces, Sherri Redick, Alice Loper, Karen Simon, Elizabeth Marks and nephew, Jimmy Fairbairn and sister in law Mary; and Carol Fairbairn. His extended family included Carolyn’s family; mother in law; Kat Swinnea; brother in law; Charles Swinnea, sister in law, Charlotte Swinnea and Jan Claeys; nieces; Heather Phillips, Sharla Tilley, Stephanie Kruger, Tara Swinnea; nephews; Nic, Matt and Bryan Claeys and 12 great nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Stranger Cemetery, Lott Presbyterian Church, Kosse First United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.
