William Cole Garber, Jr.

William Cole Garber, Jr. died January 30, 2024, at the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital - Big Bend Hospice, First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care. Bill was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia to Bill and Alice Garber. Bill lived in Virginia until the age 8, when his parents moved to the Panama Canal Zone. Oh, the memories he made living there. Following high school graduation, he returned to Virginia to attend Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. While in Virginia, he reacquainted himself, at the insistence of his grandparents, with a childhood friend. As the saying goes, “the rest is history.” Bill and Sandy have been married for over 56 years. His career took a different turn when he moved to Tallahassee. His entire career was spent in the building construction/supply business; culminating with starting of his own business, Garber Millwork Supply until he retired. When not working, his greatest joy was watching and sometimes coaching his two sons in his all-time favorite sport of baseball!! Through the years many vacations, birthdays and even anniversaries were spent at various ballparks. Many lasting friendships were made during the years from Little League to college. Then came the three grandsons and he got to start all over again. However, the first grandchild was a granddaughter, and he was smitten!! She is the only one who learned how to make Granddaddy’s special chocolate chip cookies!! He was a proud father and grandfather. Bill is survived by his wife and best friend, Sandy; his son, William (Bill) C. Garber III (Michele) and their children Sydney (22) and Cody (16); his son, Brian E. Garber (Elizabeth) and their children Cole (16) and Bryce (11); his brother, Tim (Shannon) and sister, Alison (Tracy). Also remembering him are numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Alice Garber; brother, Tom Garber and sister, Jane Garber Thomas. If you knew Bill it wouldn’t be long before you knew his favorite motto. “Measure twice, cut once”. Oh, how he loved to remind everyone of this. He also loved the comic strip Pickles. There were times he and Sandy would laugh at seeing each other in them. One of his favorite lines from Pickles is: “Common sense is a flower that doesn’t bloom in everyone’s garden.” As his father-in-law would have said, “Amen brother!” Since his death, many have commented to his family about what a kind and good man he always was. No truer words have ever been spoken. He will be greatly missed by us all. To honor Bill’s memory, we will hold a celebration of life gathering on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 265 Hidden Pond Court, Tallahassee, Florida 32317. We invite friends and family at any time between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to celebrate his wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a contribution to Big Bend Hospice in honor of Bill. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Garber family with their arrangements.

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William Cole Garber, Jr.

August 30, 1948 - January 30, 2024