Billy Ray Garrett, age 70, of Burlington, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Burlington.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30am on Monday June 1, 2026 at the Batavia Cemetery in Batavia Iowa. Memorials in Billy’s honor to Hope Haven in Burlington. may be left at the service or mailed to the family C/O Cranston Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Billy was born on September 16, 1955 to Leo and Hazel (Crowe) Garrett at the Jeferson County Hospital. The family residence was in Van Buren County near Selma. Billy joined 7 brothers and sisters to complete a family of eight. As Billy was growing up the family moved to a farm east of Eldon, then to a farm Northeast of Bloomfield in Davis County. The last move was to facilitate Billy’s attendance in special classes to accommodate his disability. At that time the older five children had left home and either had homes of their own or were pursuing a career path. The parents and three younger boys made up the household. At age 16 Billy moved to Glenwood State School–Hospital, Glenwood in Glenwood, Iowa. He resided there until March 4, 1987 when he moved to Cedar Creek Care Center, R.R. #3, Fairfield, Iowa. While at Cedar Creek he worked at the TENCO Vocational Center in Fairfield. He moved to Center Village in Keosauqua on October 2, 2006 and continued to work at TENCO in Fairfield. In December of 2008 Billy moved to the Cottonwood Facility of Hope Haven in Burlington and later to a Group Home. He attended the Hope Haven Developmental Center until breaking a hip in August of 2022. At that time, he was moved to Oakview Nursing and Rehab.
During his life Billy loved basketball and especially the Hawkeyes. He was never without Hawkeye decor in his room. He loved music and cartoons. He always wore a themed T-shirt to match his mood for the day (which was usually happy). Bingo Day was his favorite and he collected a plethora of prizes. He always engaged in group activities. Billy was Special Needs, but he was really “special” in so many ways. He was a tease and he spread joy to all around him. He won the hearts of those who cared for him.
Billy is survived by sister Lillian Curtis (Stan) of Mount Pleasant, brother Philip Garrett (Cathy) of Bloomfield and brother-in-law Floyd McIntosh of Ankeny and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers: Donald Garrett and his wife Lois, Maynard Garrett and his wife Lou, Junior Garrett and his wife Diane, and sisters: Patricia Ludwig and her husband Cliford, Phyllis McIntosh. Also, some nieces and nephews. Also, we want to acknowledge the loving staff that cared for Billy over the years. They too were his family and we are forever grateful to them.
