Former Nevada Power executive McGarry dies

Jace Radke

Thursday, April 26, 2001 | 10:58 a.m.

William McGarry's Las Vegas was a small, close-knit town when he served as an executive with Nevada Power in the early 1970s.

McGarry spent 16 years as the energy provider's senior vice president of communications and customer service, and serving the growing valley's residents is just what he did, according to his son Bill McGarry.

"He was always working to keep the power bills down for the residents," Bill McGarry said. "He enjoyed being a part of the community. It was a different town then, where one person could make a difference, and he took that opportunity."

William McGarry, who spent 22 years in Las Vegas, died at the age of 75 Friday in Costa Mesa, Calif.

McGarry was born in New York on April 8, 1926, and served in the Army during World War II.

In Las Vegas McGarry helped to guide Nevada Power through the energy crisis of the 1970s and took a leadership role in organizing the first Las Vegas chapter of Goodwill Industries.

Later McGarry retired from Nevada Power and began working in retail, where he started a series of discount perfume outlets.

McGarry is survived by his wife, Jackie McGarry; sister, Kathleen Muller; brother, Jack McGarry; daughters, Joan Mango, Rita Elliot, and Susan Hague; sons Bill McGarry, Patrick McGarry; stepsons Reese Kelle, Steve Kelle, Tom Mossman, John Mossman; 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Services will be held Saturday at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.