William Garner Named Fraternalist of the Year
Gleaner Life Insurance Society is proud to announce William (Bill) Floyd Garner as the Society’s recipient of the 2009 Fraternalist of the Year award. The award was presented during the 54th Biennial Convention in October 2009.
A Gleaner member for over 50 years, Mr. Garner has been active with Gleaner since buying insurance from his own father (a Gleaner sales agent) in 1956.
A founding member of South County Arbor in Hanna, Indiana, Garner is instrumental in informing the community about Gleaner and the good deeds done through the arbor. He single handedly has referred many of his own family members to join Gleaner by purchasing the Society’s financial products and encouraging them to become active volunteers through the arbor. Always willing to lend a hand, Garner epitomizes Gleaner’s fraternal spirit through his ongoing benevolent acts.
Mr. Garner has held numerous positions through Gleaner’s South County Arbor including vice president and has been chosen as a delegate to Gleaner’s biennial conventions and state association meetings. William Garner has truly inspired multiple generations to become Gleaner members and actively participate in the Society’s arbor system and government.
Mr. Garner participates in South County Arbor’s community events including delivering care baskets during the holidays and spearheading the arbor’s annual Caring Hands project that provides support to an individual facing financial hardship. Garner actively assists with the Hanna War Memorial event and various clean up projects at the cemetery and Union Mills Pond Park. Garner also participates in the arbor’s annual Bingo Night at County Health Home. Through Garner’s efforts, many of the local township fire department members have become Gleaner members and are involved with South County Arbor events. He was also instrumental in building the arbor’s float in the annual Hanna Fest Parade, driving a golf cart with Gleaner signs during the parade.
A World War II Veteran, Garner joined the US Marines in 1944 and became a fleet marine and bugler. Upon his return home in 1946, he married Doris (Babe) Selby and they have been happily married for 63 years.
Mr. Garner has also been an active member of the American Legion Post, Hanna Volunteer Fire Department, Hanna Lions Club, and Hanna Centennial Committee.
He has also held numerous community positions including serving as president of the Hanna Cemetery Trustees Board of Directors. Garner was appointed to the South County Committee for School Reorganizations, the South Central School Board, served as a justice of the peace, is an elected Township Trustee and served as the Township Assessor, and was appointed to serve on the Township Advisory Committee for the First Merchants Bank.
Through his work with the South County Committee for School Reorganization, Mr. Garner actively helped to organize the three townships, leading to the consolidation of the South Central
School District.
An avid volunteer with the city, state, and national electoral process; Mr. Garner served on the Hanna Township Election Board as judge for over a decade.
As a member for over 70 years of the United Methodist Church, Mr. Garner has served in a variety of roles including Board of Trustees. He has overseen many renovation projects including roofing the fellowship hall and the church, building an addition to the fellowship hall, and constructing a 10’ x 40’ enclosed hallway between the church and fellowship hall. Each year, Mr. Garner serves as chairman for the annual Christmas Eve luminaries and fills approximately 700 milk jugs with sand and a candle. He then joins the committee in lining the streets with the jugs and lighting the candles at dusk for a beautiful sight on Christmas Eve.
A founding member of the Hanna Historical Society in 2007, Mr. Garner is still an active member today.
As an entrepreneur, Garner founded Garner Construction in 1962 and is still actively involved in the family business. Mr. Garner also established the Hanna KOA Campground in 1966 and although he sold it in 1976, it is still a thriving business today.
Donating 50-80 volunteer hours each month, Mr. Garner has made the act of helping others a life long goal. Whether playing “Taps” for deceased veterans or participating in Hanna’s annual Memorial Day and Flag Day services, Mr. Garner is well known for his benevolent acts throughout the community.
“Mr. Garner does not look for recognition or acknowledgement for his services, he just does it to help out his community and because it’s the right thing to do,” stated Deborah Clark, South County Arbor member.
Through Hanna’s Volunteer Fire Department, Mr. Garner has served his community for many years responding to fires and accidents in addition to assisting with community fund raising events. In 1997, Garner was recognized for his service by the State Association as a Charter Member of Hanna VFD and the Indiana Volunteer Fire Association.
Mr. Garner and his wife, Doris, have raised five children and are proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
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