Jennifer Garner’s father, an Aggie, passes away at 85

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Actress Jennifer Garner’s father, William John Garner, has passed away at age 85.

Jennifer Garner, who was born in Houston, shared the news on Instagram Monday, saying her father “passed peacefully Saturday afternoon.”

William John Garnder, also known as Billy, attended Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 1961 and his Masters of Chemical Engineering in 1976.

In a 2022 post on social media, Jennifer said this of her father: “In my dad, my Grandfather had a best little buddy, his brilliant adorable sidekick. They were two peas in a pod, until my Grandfather lost his life in an accident. At 11 years old my dad became man of the house- working a paper route, setting up pins at the bowling alley, helping his mother take care of things at home. Kind men at church took little Billy Jack under their wing, got him involved with Boy Scouts, pointed him toward college (You’ve never met an Aggie more proud to be an Aggie).”

Among the tributes online to Jennifer’s news, Texas A&M University wrote on her Instagram page: “Our condolences to you and your family. Here.”

Jennifer’s post on Instagram said: “My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question.) 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.Today is for 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. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope. Your care 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.”