It is with great sadness that I learn of Bill's death. He and I were good friends and neighbors from elementary school days onward.
Many's the Saturday evening when Bill and I would sit in his parents' kitchen and shoot the breeze while sharing a gigantic bowl of hot buttered popcorn cooked by his Mother. Bill had a warm heart and quick wit, and will leave a gap in our lives.
My condolences to the Garrett family.
   ---Roger

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE GARRETT FAMILY. I REMEMBER 'WILLIE' SINCE ISBELL SCHOOL. I BEFRIENDED HIM THEN AND OUR KNOWING EACH OTHER CONTINUED TO ADULTHOOD. I TOOK MY KIDS TO THE LIBRARY AND INTRODUCED THEM TO HIM. LATER, EACH TIME I VISITED MY SISTER-IN-LAW AT THE RESTHOME WE WOULD SHARE OUR HELLOS. HE WAS A GREAT GUY WHO DESPITE HIS HANDICAP NEVER COMPLAINED AND REMAINED POSITIVE. HE IS DEFINATELY IN PEACE NOW.

I worked with Bill at Blanchard Community Library and am so sorry that he passed away. He worked hard at his job and took great pride in keeping the books in meticulous order. He especially enjoyed the books about movie stars and was always eager to share a movie review of the latest videos that he enjoyed. I will always remember his dedication and enthusiasm for the library, his love of family, and his devotion to his mom.

When I was a little girl, Mother would drive me to the library because I liked to read.  The Children's Library was in the basement-level part of the old library, now torn down, at 8th & Main.  You'd walk thru other stacks and shelves of what were perhaps reference or historical books before entering the sunny children's room and Sonny would often be silently working solo in that section.  I was very small and he seemed very tall so I confess to being a bit wary of him or really any adult who towered over me.  All thru the succeeding years of going to the library into my teens with my library card in hand...and onto the new library where the Safeway had been across the street...I would see Sonny working with the books.  He was a fixture there and all around town.  I regret to say I was always shy and never had a conversation with him.  I'd come and go from Santa Paula over the years and now I'm senior-aged.  I saw Sonny age just like me.  And then I didn't see him walking anymore.  Mother told me he was at Twin Pines and from that point forward, whenever she went there to visit residents whom she knew and up to the time where she was ill and could no longer go, she would always seek out Sonny and make sure she had a bit of a chat with him.  I don't know how she would have had any kind of connection except that she went to the library, too, and perhaps he'd helped her look for a book a time or two, just like he apparently helped other library goers who warmly remember him.  I thought the obit photo was so nice.  It crossed my mind more than once of what might be his story and background, so it's good to read that he had family in town after his folks passed.  I may be wrong but I thought maybe they had the tidy house there on Harvard, somewhat near Isbell School.  I'm not contributing much here, but I was just so struck to see his photo in the newspaper and I instantly recognized him from it although I would never have known of him at that age and time as he was older than I.  He was quiet and a sort of mystery to me when I was growing up.  I am just glad to learn that he was loved.  I guess I felt like I knew him because I saw him, everywhere, walking and being in and of the world of Santa Paula.  He was like one of its landmarks.  So, I feel sad.  May he rest in gentle peace.

When we were younger, my mother used to take my sister and I to the library to study and work on homework. Mr. Garrett was always so kind and helpful. May he rest in peace.

To the Garrett Family: So sorry to read the Sonny passed away! I remember Sonny and how he would walk everywhere. Being a "not quite connected shirttail" relative I spent many hours at the Garrett house with my Aunt Betty and my cousins Mike, Melanie and Susan. Sonny had a wonderful and kind soul. You are all in my prayers.

Bill was my classmate at Santa Paula.  Later, I think he found real happiness working at the Santa Paula Library.  Peace, Bill.

John

OBITUARY

William Edward Garrett

July 22, 1940 – December 7, 2014

Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery

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