Obituary for Billy Truman Garner
Our “Hero” and our “John Wayne”, Billy Truman Garner, 87, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Friday, August 12, 2022.
Bill, or also known as Daddy, Pops, Papa, Bubbi, Wild Bill and Bruisin Billy was born in Circleback, Texas on March 29, 1935, to Ernest and Ruby Garner. He later moved to Gainesville, Texas and graduated from Callisburg High School in 1956. In his senior year of high school, Bill was recognized as a football star, class president and was voted “Class Favorite” by his peers. He began boxing in the Golden Gloves with his favorite coach, C.D. Sealy, in his late teens and that is where he acquired the nickname “Bruisin” Billy. After graduation, he served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959. At that time is when he began his career with Frisco Railroad where he later retired.
Bill has never met a stranger and was loved by everyone the moment they met him. Though having many friends, he especially cherished his lifelong closest friends…Tommy Parkhill, Loyd Jr Gibbs, Virginia Head, Rex and Ina, Walt and Joyce, Jim and Shar, T.A. and Jean, Danny and Barbara, Casey and Aida, Charlie Weatherford, Steve Crocker and Richard Kientzle. He was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of coaching youth by getting to be a softball and football coach to his kids and grandkids. He loved John Wayne, being a cowboy and was the best two-stepper on the dance floor. Bill handed over the reins to the Western Kountry Klub in Midlothian after 23 years…to a sold-out crowd on New Year's Eve!! What a way to go out!
Bill is survived by his daughters Kim Mitchell (Michael), Cynda McCulloch (Thurman), Cyndi Calder, Cindy Metcalfe Calder, Robin Calder, Shelly Skinner (Ricky), stepdaughter Tracy Klaja (Rich) and his sister Marilyn Kaye Christiansen (Steve). The joys of his life are his 16 grandchildren...Amy, Wade, Christy, Chuck, Toni, Shelbi, Anson, Trey, Vanessa, Monica, Dereck, Dalton, Mandy and Richie, Ashley and Gunner, 23 great grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter and multiple nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his cherished wives Polly and Gerry, sons Tommy, Chuck, Tony, grandsons Anson and Wade, parents, siblings and many friends.
He will forever be cherished and missed.
Bill, or also known as Daddy, Pops, Papa, Bubbi, Wild Bill and Bruisin Billy was born in Circleback, Texas on March 29, 1935, to Ernest and Ruby Garner. He later moved to Gainesville, Texas and graduated from Callisburg High School in 1956. In his senior year of high school, Bill was recognized as a football star, class president and was voted “Class Favorite” by his peers. He began boxing in the Golden Gloves with his favorite coach, C.D. Sealy, in his late teens and that is where he acquired the nickname “Bruisin” Billy. After graduation, he served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959. At that time is when he began his career with Frisco Railroad where he later retired.
Bill has never met a stranger and was loved by everyone the moment they met him. Though having many friends, he especially cherished his lifelong closest friends…Tommy Parkhill, Loyd Jr Gibbs, Virginia Head, Rex and Ina, Walt and Joyce, Jim and Shar, T.A. and Jean, Danny and Barbara, Casey and Aida, Charlie Weatherford, Steve Crocker and Richard Kientzle. He was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of coaching youth by getting to be a softball and football coach to his kids and grandkids. He loved John Wayne, being a cowboy and was the best two-stepper on the dance floor. Bill handed over the reins to the Western Kountry Klub in Midlothian after 23 years…to a sold-out crowd on New Year's Eve!! What a way to go out!
Bill is survived by his daughters Kim Mitchell (Michael), Cynda McCulloch (Thurman), Cyndi Calder, Cindy Metcalfe Calder, Robin Calder, Shelly Skinner (Ricky), stepdaughter Tracy Klaja (Rich) and his sister Marilyn Kaye Christiansen (Steve). The joys of his life are his 16 grandchildren...Amy, Wade, Christy, Chuck, Toni, Shelbi, Anson, Trey, Vanessa, Monica, Dereck, Dalton, Mandy and Richie, Ashley and Gunner, 23 great grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter and multiple nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his cherished wives Polly and Gerry, sons Tommy, Chuck, Tony, grandsons Anson and Wade, parents, siblings and many friends.
He will forever be cherished and missed.