County of the theater: Carroll County
Locatio of the theater: Bradley St. & Wagon Yard Plaza, Stage @ THE AMP, Carrollton
Phone: 770-832-6901
Dedication: 2012
"On Oct. 28, 2012, I received a phone call from a friend. His voice was somber and almost tearful. He said, “Jason, you know Will Garrett, one of Joe and Ali’s boys? He was killed in an accident yesterday.” My heart sank, and nausea overwhelmed me.
"I knew Will rather well. A few years ago, Ryan Roenigk and Andy Johnson recruited me to coach a young group of boys on a flag football team, the Broncos. I may not have been the ideal choice. While Ryan and Andy served more like coaches, I did my best to follow their lead and watch these kids develop and have fun.
"As with all kids and sports, some loved it and some just kind of ran around. But, there were two kids who stood out to me. The first was our tailback who could outrun anyone on the field, including the coaches (well, maybe not Andy). The other was William Randall Garrett.
"Will, like my son, Jake, had a natural love to run up and down the field. But, Will showed some talents that the others did not possess. Primarily, he could catch the ball. For some reason, 7- and 8-year-old boys develop their running skills quickly, but learning to catch a football properly takes time. Will was already a wide receiver in the making.
"It is difficult to forget him running back and forth with that long hair flapping behind him as he would catch the ball in practice and games. His enthusiasm, love for the game, positive attitude, and willingness to listen to the coaches are things that I picked up on during the Broncos’ very good season.
"I would expect him to eventually play for the Carrollton Trojans just like his father, uncles, cousins, and extended Garrett family throughout the history of our area.
"It would not be meant to be.
"On Oct. 27, 2012, Will Garrett went back to his Heavenly Father after a fatal accident.
"I would not mention this to Joe for almost four years. Last Sunday, we talked about Will. It gave me a new perspective on life.
"For instance, Joe said that football, the presidential election, and almost everything else that we argue and cheer about is much less important today. Challenges that were once “problems” don’t seem to hold much power anymore. Frankly, Joe said, there is not a single day that goes by that he and Ali do not think about Will Garrett.
"While Will is waiting for us in Heaven, his spirit is very much alive, the impact of his short life is felt, and the memory of Will Garrett shines bright in West Georgia. For instance, the stage at the Carrollton Amphitheater is named in his honor. Oak Mountain Academy’s garden is named “Will’s Garden” where his family started a scholarship. He is honored annually at the Southwire/Will Garrett BBQ fundraiser for Toys for Tots. Donations to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in memory of Will went to furnishing the new children’s chapel. There are many more examples of his spirit in our community.
"I am grateful that I finally gathered the courage to ask Joe about Will last week. I hope that I never understand what it is like to lose a child. I don’t believe I would be able to bear it.
"While the Garretts have suffered unlike anyone can imagine, they chose to rally the community around the memory of Will. The community responded a hundred times over.
"After our conversation, I am certain of one thing: William Randall Garrett is smiling down on his family from Heaven. One day, they will be reunited in the presence of our Heavenly Father, God.
"For now, Will Garrett is the spiritual heartbeat of our thriving community." ~ The Newnan Times-Herald, by Jason Swindle, Oct. 26, 2016
(Jason Swindle is a criminal-defense attorney and college professor in Carrollton.)