OBITUARY William George Barrett June 9, 1937 – September 11, 2018 COLUMBIA – William George Barrett, 81, of Columbia, passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Lexington Medical Center. Bill was born June 9, 1937, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, son of the late Hulda Hedwig Barbara Kleist and William Edward Barrett. He was confirmed at St. Paul United Church of Christ, and graduated from Central High School in 1955.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955, serving as a radio operator until 1956 when he qualified to enter the aviation cadet program at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He left active duty at the end of 1958 and was discharged from the Navy Reserve in 1963. While stationed in Pensacola, he met the love of his life, Kathleen “Kate” Gouge, and they were married April 11, 1959 at the First Methodist Church of Pensacola.
They lived in Sheboygan for a short time before returning to Pensacola, where Bill took a job as a field engineer for NCR in 1960. He became a technical writer and was transferred to Dayton, Ohio, in 1965 and to Columbia in 1975. He worked at NCR for 23 years in all.
In 1977, Bill and Kate founded the Carolina Trader advertising paper. Bill maintained a lifelong interest in aviation. He enjoyed traveling to air shows and the company of family and friends.
Most of all, he treasured the company of his wife of 59 years. He was a member of Columbia First Church of the Nazarene and the Neely Friendship Sunday School class. Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Patrick William Richard (John Miller) of Columbia and Michael Raymond (Jamie) of Irmo; three grandsons, Neil (Hallie) of Bell Buckle, TN, Nicholas (Christa) of Chicago, and Nathan of Irmo; two great-grandsons, Jack and Charlie of Bell Buckle; honorary grandchildren, Camille Rosier and Wilson Miles; a sister-in-law, Laura Mae Hyder of Johnson City, TN; nieces and nephews, Terry (Lee) Hubbard, Jennifer (Steve) Austin, Ora (Katherine) Hyder, David Hyder, Ralph (Krista) Gouge, and Joe (Shelley) Gouge, all of Tennessee; and three first cousins, Charles Conrardy and Marjorie Dietz of Sheboygan, and Sharon Struve of Plymouth, WI.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Peggy Gouge; two brothers-in-law, Howard Hyder and Zack Gouge; and six first cousins. The family is grateful to a host of friends and neighbors who helped with Bill’s care during his final illness, especially Virginia Morris and Carol Watson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 14, 2018 at First Church of the Nazarene in Columbia.
Interment will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 901 St. Andrews Rd.
, Columbia, SC 29210. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
