In memory of
William "Willie" McGarry
of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Monday, March 24, 2003 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 93
Graveside services for William "Willie" McGarry, age 93, of Kadoka, formerly of Belvidere, will be held 10:00 am Saturday Sept. 27, 2003 at the Belvidere Cemetery with Father Bob Baden officiating.
William J. "Willie" McGarry was born to William and Ellen (Ellie) Sullivan McGarry on November 17, 1909, in Platte, SD. He was the eldest child, followed later by a sister, Margaret Mary McGarry, born March 6, 1912, and a brother, Edmund Michael "Fritz" McGarry born June 14, 1924.
Willie lived most of his life in Jackson County, South Dakota, and witnessed nine decades of change. His life spanned 17 U. S. Presidents, William Howard Taft to George W. Bush, and he lived through two World Wars and then some. During the Great Depression, he worked on the Works Progress Administration under Roosevelt’s New Deal Program, building roads and dams in order to feed his mother and siblings and keep the family farm. He never lived a life of riches and made countless personal sacrifices for his family.
He farmed for decades at Route 1, Box 3, Belvidere, SD, and kept his cattle until a year ago and his farm up through his final days. Due to complications with his health, he moved from the farm and spent the last five years living in Kadoka, SD, at the Gateway Apartments. Yet, Willie loved nothing better than the active, outdoor life on the prairie and looked forward to spending time with his cattle and other animals (except for the prairie dogs) that inhabited his farmland. It was common sight to see him walking around the farm, always in bib overalls and a flannel shirt, work boots and a cap.
Surviving are his two nieces, Ms. Cheryl McGarry of Seabeck, Washington, and Ms. Paula Rebar of Washington, D.C. As young kids, they spent summers with their grandmother and Willie on the farm, and have many fond memories of him. One summer, he surprised them with ponies, and in many respects, they were the children he never had.
Mr. McGarry was preceded in death by his parents; numerous aunts and uncles; his sister, Margaret, who passed away in 1989; and brother, "Fritz," who passed away in 1997.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, at the church, with Father Bob Baden as celebrant, and Deacon Gene Heckathorne assisting.
Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Victory Church, Kadoka, SD, 57543.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
10:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2003
Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Bob Baden
ASSISTED BY
Deacon Gene Heckathorne
MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell – Organist
Jill Eckert – Vocalist
"Wind Beneath My Wings"
Congregational Hymns
"How Great Thou Art"
"Amazing Grace"
USHERS
Bob Eckert - Curtis Anderson
PALLBEARERS
Roy Brown - Lyle Klundt
Clair Bitting - Steve Jeffords
Paula Rebar - Cheryl McGarry
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
10:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2003
Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
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Paula and Cheryl, I am pleased that I had the time to get to know Willie. He was a pure joy to visit. I feel that with the service we were able to provide, he was able to remain in his home until the last days. I would like to share a little story about the first time I met Willie. He found out I was originally from Philip and we compared the people we knew. He knew my mother who is a nurse with Philip Health Services! He then asked if I knew that Jack Rush and of course I said yes. "He already has a box built for me. He made it 2 feet longer than the usual ones." When I asked Willie why, he said that where he was going, he would need air conditioning! He finished the story with one of his big belly laugh. I truly enjoyed visiting and laughing with WIllie. I will miss not stopping at his apartment when I get to Kadoka. God Bless you. Stacy ~ Stacy Dole 510 N Cambell, Rapid City, SD 57701 (3/24/2003)
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We met Willie 28 years ago when we moved to the Belvidere area to work for Miriam Gorman. Willie was a helpful neighbor and very quickly a good friend. We all enjoyed his sense of humor. Our children, Julie and Jay, enjoyed visiting Willie and he always had treats for them. During the four years we lived there, Bill learned the history of the area from Willie. When Willie was in the Minneapolis hospital years ago, we happened to be visitng family in southern Minnesota. We drove up to see Willie and he was so happy to see us. We weren't able to stay very long and he didn't want us to go - that was tough. We all have wonderful memories of him.
Susan and Bill Melius. ~ Sue & Bill Melius 8 Nickel Place, Spearfish, SD 57783 (3/24/2003) -
I have know Willie since 1975. I was just a young girl then and my family had just moved to Belvidere. Willie was our closest neighbor. Willie was always a delight, a real character. I saw him at the Rushmore Mall just a few years ago unexpectedly. I hadn't seen him in a couple of years. He remarked, "By God, you're eating good!" Only Willie could say something like that and make you laugh out loud. It was a pleasure to have him in our life. He will be missed.
Julie Melius Dvorak ~ Julie Melius Dvorak 432 Railway Avenue, Mellette, SD 57461 (3/24/2003) -
I hauled cattle for Willie several times. I don't recall a time when Willie didn't have the time to stop and say "hello". He was a great man, and will be missed greatly by all who had the pleasure to know him.
Sincerly,
Larry Swift
Swift Trucking ~ Larry Swift P.O. Box 303, Philip, SD 57567 (3/24/2003)