Obituary of William B. Garrison

William Barnette Bill Garrison, 87, of Charlotte and Blowing Rock, died January 8, 2017. He was born in Charlotte, on January 9, 1930 to William Barnette Barney Garrison, Jr. and Rebecca Snyder Garrison. He is preceded in death by his loving wife JoAnn Henderson Garrison and his cherished pug Bumper. Bill graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Carolina. He served the nation with honor in the US Army Medical Corps. Bill was an avid golfer and had a genuine interest in preserving the charm and character of historic Blowing Rock. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was an active member of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock Country Club, and supporter of Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Bill is survived by his daughter Jenny Garrison Brunnemer (Mike), and their daughters Brooks Brunnemer and Lee Washington (Stephen), and great-grandchildren Will and Caroline; daughter Sandra Garrison Hodges and her son George Hodges, and daughters Parker and Garrison Hodges; son William Barnette Barney Garrison III (Debbie), his daughters Cameron and Meredith Garrison, and son Will Garrison; daughter Melissa Garrison Sauls and her son Garrison Sauls and daughter Lillie Sauls; daughter Tracy Muskal (David) and daughter Katie Minor (Josh) and son Ryan Muskal. Bill is additionally survived by his brothers, Snyder Garrison of Hickory, Lee Garrison of Charlotte and Key West, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bill was especially proud of having attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his Gastonia childhood. His fondest memories were of spending unforgettable summers in Blowing Rock with his brothers and cousins at Chetola, the historic Snyder and Garrison summer homestead. Active for many years in commercial real estate, Bill founded and served as president of Homes Inc., building affordable housing in the Gastonia market. Bill was past president of the Gaston Board of Realtors, former Rotarian, and member of the Gaston Country Club before moving to Charlotte where he was V.P. of Southern Real Estate. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 1 oclock at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service The family welcomes memorials to St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, PO Box 14, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 or the Blowing Rock Community Foundation, PO Box 525, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Online condolences may be shared with the Garrison Family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Garrison Family.