HANNA – William Floyd Garner, age 97 of Hanna, IN passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Northwest Health, LaPorte Hospital following an illness. He was born on March 18, 1926 in Gibsonburg, OH to Donald and Ellen (Frankfather) Garner and was 97 years old at the time of his death.
He moved to the area as a young boy and lived here most of his life. Bill graduated from Hanna High School in 1944, after which he immediately joined the Marines where he served in World War II. On September 14, 1946 in Rolling Prairie, he married the love of his life, Doris Ellen Selby, sharing 77 years of marriage.
After the war Bill continued his community service in a huge way. He served on the Hanna Volunteer Fire Dept. and Hanna Lions Club both for 77 years; was a member of the Hanna Cemetery Board, Hanna United Methodist Church, the South Central School Board, Gleaner Life Insurance, and Gleaner Arbor of Hanna; served as Justice of the Peace for Hanna Township; was the Chairman of the Illuminarie Jugs for Christmas Eve in Hanna; built and ran the Hanna KOA Campground from 1965 until around 1975; owned and operated his own construction business for 33 years; was a participant in the honorary flight for World War II Veterans to Washington D.C.; and in 2009 was named Gleaner Fraternalist of the year. Before his death he went to Indianapolis on February 26, 2024 and met Governor Holcomb where he was honored for 77 years of service on the Hanna Volunteer Fire Dept.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife Doris Garner of Hanna; five children Lois (Dave) Boyd of Sulphur, OK, Diana (Robert) Bailey of Union Mills, Terry (Elisa) Garner of South Bend, Deborah (Robert) Clark of Wanatah, and Pam (Jim) Glasgow of Union Mills; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; and one sister Sharon Warner of Florida. His is preceded in death by his parents; one sister Vera Grace; three brothers Merle, Ray, and Allen; one daughter-in-law Susie Garner; and one grandson Clint Bailey.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM CDT Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the Hanna United Methodist Church (101 W. Hopper ST., Hanna, IN 46340). Private burial will take place in Hanna Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request Memorial Contributions be made in Bill’s memory to the Hanna Cemetery Association. The Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel is honored to be entrusted with Bill’s arrangements.
