William Garity's Obituary
William Edward Garity of Covington, LA, died peacefully on March 29 at home after a long illness. Bill was born January 23, 1923, in Catonsville, Maryland, and had just celebrated his 85th birthday at a surprise party given by all his children and grandchildren. Bill lived at Christwood Retirement Community, where he was blessed with many wonderful friends, as well as all of the caring staff at Christwood. Prior to his move to Covington ten years ago, he had lived on the Westbank of New Orleans for 25 years. Bill grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at UT, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He began his career with General Electric and spent his 42-year career with GE as a power transformer sales engineer, living in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He retired in 1985 as the District Manager of the New Orleans sales office.
He was an active volunteer throughout his life in various capacities and locales. He was actively involved in the Elfun Society, a volunteer organization of General Electric executives. He also devoted time to his church, most recently Christ Church, Covington, and previously St. Philips Episcopal Church, New Orleans. He was an avid golfer and very involved with the Louisiana Seniors Golf Tour. He loved to travel, and he journeyed over waters near and far. Bill is survived by his wife of 10 years, Erin Sullivan Wohlbruck Garity of New Orleans. He had been married to Jean Mitchell Garity of North Rose, NY, for 43 years until her death in 1991. He is also survived by three daughters, one son, three stepsons and their spouses: Susan & Francisco Zamora (VA), Nancy & Daniel Baker (CT), Cynthia & Joseph Kueck (LA), and William & Chang Garity, Jr. (CO), John Wohlbruck (NY), Jim & Nancy Wohlbruck (NJ), and Eric & Cindy Wohlbruck (TN). Bill had ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. One of nine children originally, he is survived by two sisters, Grace Williams (TN) and Lucille Haywood (TN), and his brother Joseph Garity (AL). Also surviving are many beloved nieces and nephews and their children, scattered across the country.
Despite the geographical distances between his children and his extended family, it was always a great joy for Bill to visit and spend time with his family. He will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be held on April 3rd at 10:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington followed by a reception in the Garden Room at Christwood. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the John Lohman Fund through Christwood, Christ Episcopal Church or Hospice of St. Tammany.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home Inc., 2260 W. 21st. Ave., Covington, LA 70433 entrusted with the arrangements. Sign Guest Book online at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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