HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Dec. 12, 2022) – The founder of a staple on WHTC radio, as well as one on WYVN radio, is gone.
A Thursday memorial service at Dykstra Funeral Homes’ Mulder Chapel (188 W. 32nd Street) is scheduled for Bill Gargano, who passed away last Monday, December 5th, at the age of 98. The World War II veteran from Detroit first came to WHTC in 1954, left for Janesville, Wisconsin two years later, and in 1959, returned to Holland and brought with him the concept for “Talk of the Town.”
During his tenure here, Mr. Gargano started not only the “backyard fence” program, but also “Alegria Latina” at the urging of Lupita Reyes. He held on-the-air sixth grade spelling bees in Holland Public Schools, among other programs, before leaving in 1984 to operate the Rainbow’s End Ice Cream and Balloon Shop until his retirement in the mid 1990’s.
Mr. Gargano, whose wife Carol passed away 15 years ago, leaves behind four children and five grandchildren, along with a brother. Visitation is set for Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM at the Mulder Chapel, with burial at Graaafschap Cemetery.
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