Billy Joel Garrard

Billy Joel Garrard, (affectionately known as "Piano Man" by his sister-in-law, "Aunty Awesome", Linzie), passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2021. Billy lived in Wellington Colorado with his wife Meghan and their blended family of four wonderful children.

Billy was born July 3, 1980 to his mother Elaine Garrard and father Brad Prichard in Austin Texas and grew up in Missouri and Colorado. He moved to Fort Collins Colorado in 2013 where he met the love of his life Meghan Stephenson. They were married in a beautiful, snowy but sunny setting outdoors next to the convergence of Grizzly Creek and the Colorado River on January 16, 2015. During the ceremony, the pastor, Jim Bailey, compared the two rivers coming together as one, to the joining of two hearts in marriage becoming one. Billy and Meghan brought a precious son, Liam, and three years later a beautiful daughter, Hannah, into the world. Together with Meghan's two other children, Jackson, and Zoey they built a family filled with love and rambunctious life.

Billy was blessed with an infectious smile that would light up any room he walked into. He had a laugh that was unmistakable and was a rabid Denver Broncos fan. During Super Bowl 50, I'm sure the neighbors two doors down could hear Billy cheering and rooting on his Broncos. Billy relished spending time with his family. Whether it be fishing, watching one of the kids compete in a sporting event, or just going to the park Billy was there enjoying the day the Lord had made.

Billy was a "Soul on Fire" for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Billy touched so many lives in his too short of time on God's earth. Below is a tribute that was written by one of those lives.
by David Janzen
"I suppose it is human nature that when someone leaves our lives early, our first inclination is to ask God why He let it happen. To even be angry at God. (If so, He can take it.) But as hard as it might be in our sadness, perhaps we also need to thank God for even bringing that person into our lives.
I thank God for bringing Billy into my life. He taught me so many things in the time we knew each other. How to be open, honest, and vulnerable. How to overcome. How to love God and be excited about a relationship with Him. I will miss my friend very much. (I always wanted to go to a hockey game with Billy, and figured we would get around to it one day.) But I also have joy picturing him with His Savior, free from the trials of this life.

So many times I have no idea why a sovereign God does what He does, and when He does. One day we will. So today I do what I know. That is, to celebrate the gift that was Billy, and also mourn with Meghan, the kids, and so many others that loved him. – with Meghan Garrard"
One of Billy's favorite quotes was taught to him by a man he looked to as a close friend and mentor, Jim Bailey:
"I am a Bible totin' scripture quotin' devil smotin' child of the most high God."

Billy is survived by his wife Meghan, four children - Jackson Torres (Jax), Zoey Stephenson, Liam, and Hannah Garrard; his mother Elaine Boeckman; step-father Norbert Boeckman, father Brad Prichard (Karen); sister Regina Garrard (Tim); brother Chris Prichard (Reese); sister Sara Harskamp (Dustin) parents in-law Mike and Jude Stephenson; sister in-law Linzie Stephenson (Louis); brother in-law James Stephenson (Aaren); and numerous nieces and nephews, other family and friends.

Preceding Billy in death are his sister Kimmy, and close friend and mentor Pastor Jim Bailey.

A service celebrating Billy's life will be held 10:30 am Thursday March 25, 2021 at Mountain View Community Church, 328 Remington St, Fort Collins CO.

Billy's family has set up an empathy fund to help with the cost of his services please go to https://www.empathy-funding.com/26/1869/Garrard if you wish to help the family. Billy's family appreciates your emotional and financial support.