William L. Garts

William L. (Bill) Garts, 85, of Meadville, passed away following a sudden illness, Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the Meadville Medical Center. He was born March 27, 1928 in Greenville.

While stationed in Germany during the Korean War, Bill was a Corporal with the 4th Infantry. He was an excellent marksman. His first job was with the Erie Railroad where he spent 21 years before buying The News Depot and later opening 4 Seasons Sporting Goods in Greenville. After retirement, Bill returned to the railroad, this time as an engineer on the train at Conneaut Lake Park.

Bill loved jazz and was the producer and host of a Jazz and Big Band radio program called "Saturday Swing Session" on WQLN Radio in Erie for 27 years. He once donated a Scott Joplin music score to a local symphony. A long-time friend of the late Meadville resident Joe Boughton, president of the Allegheny Jazz Society, Bill acted as his right-hand man and music manager both in Meadville and at the annual Jazz at Chautauqua.

He also liked to cook and write. He wrote jazz reviews for various publications, was an active blogger authoring "21 Years on the Erie Railroad" http://erierailroad.blogspot.com and "The Korean War in Germany http://koreanwaringermany.blogspot.com.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Elizabeth (Lester) Garts; his brother, Donald (Jim) Garts and his wife Elaine; his brother-in-law, Fred Lester (spouse of his late sister, Katherine); his nieces, Diana Bell and her husband Richard and Marla Siekkinen and her husband Dave; his nephew, Fred (Bill) Lester; his daughter, Sue Zak and his cat Casey.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The family suggests memorials be made to WQLN Public Radio, 8425 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net