William E. GRETT

GRETT, BUSCH, PRUETT, HENTZE, ZERCHER, GARDNER, PICKARD, NELSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/7/2007 at 13:57:03

April 1, 2004

William “Bill” E. Grett, 75, of Clarion, died March 8, 2004 at Mercy Hospital in Mason City. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held in May. William E. Grett was born July 27, 1928 in Waco, Texas, the son of Levi H. and Frieda (Busch) Nelson Grett. At the age of six his mother was killed in a car train accident along with his sisters, Beatrice and Mary Frances. His father married Eleda (Pruett) Pickard in 1940. Bill attended school in Arp, Texas and went on to Kilgore College where he graduated with a Degree in Science. While stationed in Berlin, Germany he met and married Waldtaude (Teddy) Hentze on September 25, 1948. They made their home in Oklahoma City for 50 years. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Barbara. Bill and Teddy attended the Lutheran Church. Bill was a mechanical engineer for Wilson Foods for 31 years and taught Pre-engineering courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics to future engineers. Serving as a firefighter and later a volunteer firefighter was his way of protecting those for whom he cared. Bill served his country on active duty in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. Being in three wars and coming out without a scratch gave him a perspective of life that few people could understand. Bill and Teddy moved to Clarion in 2000 to be near their family.

He is survived by his wife, Waldtraude (Teddy) Grett of Clarion; two daughters, Margaret Zercher and husband, Jim of Oklahoma City; Barbara Gardner and husband,, Bryan of Clarion; two grandsons; one great-grandchild; four brothers, Kenneth Pickard and wife, Lorraine; Donald Pickard and wife, Martha; Clarence A. Grett, all of White Oak, Texas; and Tom Grett and wife, Becky of Dallas, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Levi H. Grett; mother, Frieda B. Grett; stepmother, Eleda P. Grett; two sisters, Beatrice Nelson and Mary Frances Grett; five brothers, Carl Nelson, Robert Nelson, Paul Nelson, Harold Nelson and Charles Grett.

© Wright County Monitor 2004