Billy O. Garn, 83, retired ARIG, Southeast Region, passed away August 7, 2015 in a Modesto, CA hospital.

Billy was a U. S. Navy veteran and began his law enforcement career with the Border Patrol. He came to OIG-USDA in the Western Region serving as a Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent and Assistant Regional Inspector General in San Fransisco. He later transferred to Atlanta and retired there in 1986. After retirement, Billy returned to California settling in Modesto.

The following is Billy's published onituary:

• BILLY O. GARN
  JUNE 16, 1932 ~ AUGUST 7, 2015
  

  A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Bill passed away peacefully on August 7, 2015, surrounded by loved ones. He was a devoted family man who loved all animals, especially cats and eagles. Bill was born in the small town of Craig, Missouri on June 16, 1932 to William and Dorothy Garn. After graduating from high school he joined the Navy in August of 1950 and served with the Naval Air Transport Squadron until 1954. It was during his service that he married his high school sweetheart, Ramona Jean Brandt, who passed away in 1999 after 48 years of marriage. In 2001, he married Joan Coulter, and had 13 years together.

  In August of 1957 Bill was selected for service in the US Border Patrol, where after short stints in Escondido, CA and El Paso, TX, he was assigned to Homestead, Florida. During his six years of service in Florida as one of only two agents, he was deputized as a US Marshall and recognized by President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy for his service during the 1962 riots at the University of Mississippi during the integration of James Meredith and for guarding the camps of the Civil Rights marchers during the famous 1965 Selma, Alabama march of Dr. Martin Luther King.

  In 1966 Bill brought his family to the San Francisco Bay Area for a job with the US Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, where he rose through the ranks, finishing his career as an Assistant Regional Inspector General and retiring in 1986. During his long retirement Bill enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to Europe with family.

  This extraordinary man is survived and greatly missed by his wife Joan Garn; eldest son John Garn and wife Shari of Sebastopol, CA; youngest son Steve Garn and wife Beth of Modesto; granddaughter Jennifer Garn and great granddaughter Makenzi Garn of Modesto; grandson Zak Garn of San Francisco and granddaughter Jaelyn Garn of Santa Cruz.

  A memorial service honoring Bill's long and happy life will be held Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 1:00pm at the Trinity United Presbyterian Church at 1600 Carver Road, Modesto, CA. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanub, Utah 84741 or Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030