Longtime civic leader and retired FBI special agent, William H. Garvie, Sr. passed away peacefully on the morning of May 21, 2017 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Bill suffered a severe head injury after falling from a ladder while working outside on the afternoon of May 16th.
Bill was born on March 7, 1942 in Bronx, New York to Barbara and Andy Garvie. He was the loving brother to his three sisters, whom are all surviving: Tina Bertolet of Flying Hills, PA, June Livinghouse of Michigan (sp. Larry), and Birdie Hummell of York, PA. They each affectionately called him 'Harry.'
Bill graduated from Catholic High School in Reading, PA in 1960 where he earned many awards for his academics and sports. In later years Bill enjoyed a daily run through the Nation's Capital, and in recent years Bill and Martha could be seen walking to mass at St Mary's Church in the early morning hours.
His early college days took him to Holy Cross on a full scholarship. He later went onto finish his undergraduate studies at Springhill College in Mobile, Al. where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1964.
It was during this time that Bill met Martha Jo Bass, longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, FL. They were married on Jan 4, 1964 and would remain together for 53 years. There was never a day that Bill did not love being a husband, and a father. They would go on to have five children: Tracy Garvie of DeFunaik Springs, FL. (p. Keith Morris), William 'Bill" H. Garvie, Jr. of Fort Walton Beach (p. Toni Hepler), Drew Garvie of Fredericksburg, VA. (sp. Kristen Garvie), Joe Garvie of Shalimar FL (sp. Catherine Garvie) and Molly Rukse of Fort Walton Beach FL.(sp. Justin Rukse.)
In 1969, Bill was awarded a Bachelor of Laws from Jones Law School. Later than fall, he entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his 25 years of service with the FBI, he worked on cases ranging from bank robberies and kidnappings to extortions in Mississippi, Texas, and Minnesota. His career included disaster squad assignments, to the bombing of Pan Am 103 in Lockerbie Scotland, to the Hotel Fire in San Juan. In his later years, Bill led the way for fingerprinting to move from card files to the computerized system the Bureau uses today.
Service to the United States was something he did with great pride and devotion. Anyone that ever sat in Bill's car could reach down in a seat pocket and find a pocket edition of the US Constitution. He remained active in his retirement years with the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
After Bill retired from the FBI in 1994, he spent three years at the Dept. of Energy as the Assistant Deputy Director. In 1997, Bill and Martha sold their home in Vienna, VA and returned back to Martha's hometown. Together, they would begin a new chapter by building and operating Aunt Martha's Bed and Breakfast. It was here that Bill entertained people from every corner of the globe. His laughter and storytelling was a gift that he shared freely.
In 2007, Bill directed his civic responsibility towards the Fort Walton Beach City Council. As a council member, he worked hard for the continued growth and development of his community.
Above all the accolades that lined his career path was his deep faith. In 2015, at the age of 73, the longtime member of St Mary Catholic Church set out on a lone pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The trip would take 34 days, and he would walk more than 500 miles.
Bill leaves behind a beautiful legacy which includes 17 grandchildren. It was not uncommon to find him on the sidelines of the soccer or track field cheering on Penton Garvie, Will Garvie, Amelia Rukse, Josie Rukse, Francie Rukse, Andy Rukse, Cecelia Garvie, Brooks Garvie, Noel Garvie, Lola Garvie and Adeline Garvie, or on the phone talking to his older grandchildren giving advice as they moved into adulthood - Maggie Kipnis. Max Kipnis, Nora Kipnis and Abe Kipnis. And lastly, pulling the smallest grandchild, Theo Rukse, into his lap to read picture books.
Bill Garvie will be missed dearly.
There will be a service at St Mary Catholic Church, 110 Robinwood St SW, Fort Walton Beach FL 32548 on Tuesday May 23. The closed casket viewing will be at 10am, and Funeral Mass will be at 11am, with reception immediately following at Aunt Martha's Bed and Breakfast, 315 Shell Ave SE, Fort Walton Beach FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you consider making a donation to Saint Mary Catholic School for their soccer field. Bill would have expected nothing less. May he rest in peace.

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