William Lee Garrett

Pacific Grove ~ William L. “Bill” Garrett passed away at Carmel Hills Nursing Home on May 1, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Pacific Grove; daughters, Constance Bulfer of Merced and Joanna Karina of San Diego and their families; step-sons, Robert and Thomas Dallas of Atwater and their families. Bill, the oldest of four, was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Del Carlo and leaves a brother, Robert Garrett and family of Brentwood, TN and a sister, Nina McDowell of Merced and family.

Bill was born in Stockton, CA on February 17, 1922 but lived most of his life in Merced. He attended local schools and later graduated from UC Berkeley and Hastings Law School.

Bill’s military career began at the beginning of World War II when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (later the US Air Force) and served as a B-24 Liberator pilot out of England from 1944 – 1945. His awards and decorations include D of C, Army Commendation Medal and Air Medal with six clusters. After the war, he remained as a reservist with the US Air Force as a Captain. Bill was recalled in the Korean War as JAG officer and, after the war, again remained as a reservist until he retired in 1982 as a Lt. Colonel.

Bill’s legal career began in 1950 when he joined the law firm of Landram, Silveiria, Garrett and Gaul. He specialized in civil tort actions and remained there (except for time spent in active duty during the Korean War) until his retirement in 1986.

Bill’s judicial career began in 1951 when he was appointed a US Commissioner and, in 1971, was appointed (as the name changed) to US Magistrate Judge. This was a part-time commitment and he also remained as a practicing lawyer. He retired in 1986 but was recalled in 1988 and again served as a part-time Federal Magistrate Judge until retiring at the age of 80. He served both in the Eastern District (Merced, Stockton, Yosemite, etc.) and in the Northern District (Monterey, San Francisco, San Jose, etc) as needed.

Bill’s memberships include: Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; Advocate, American Board of Trial Lawyers; Associate of Insurance Council; Merced County Bar Association; Second Air Division Association; Eighth Air Force History Society; Air Force Association; Military Officers Association (MOAA). His interests included military history, chess and cryptology.

Private family services will be held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Merced Historical Society, 21st and N Sts., Merced, 95340, the SPCA for Monterey County, PO Box 3058, Monterey, 93942 or to the donor’s choice.