Jennifer Garner Announces Death Of Her “Kind And Brilliant” Father
“We were with him, singing ‘Amazing Grace’ as he left us."
Jennifer Garner is mourning the loss of her “kind and brilliant” father Bill Garner. The Texas-native was 85 years old.
The actress took to social media Monday to announce that the patriarch “passed peacefully” on Saturday, March 30, in her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia.
“We were with him, singing ‘Amazing Grace’ as he left us,” Jennifer wrote alongside a series of family photos. “While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85-year-old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.”
In this difficult time for her family, the 13 Going On 30 star said that they have chosen to focus on gratitude.
“We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad,” she wrote. “We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.”
Jennifer went on to thank Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope for the care that “extended Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots—surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and—most of all—next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.”
“There is so much to say about my dad—my sisters and I will never be done talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us—but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind,” she concluded.
In addition to Jennifer, Bill leaves behind Patricia, his wife of nearly 60 years, daughters Savannah and Melissa, and five grandchildren.
Our hearts are with the Garner family during this difficult time.
