Billy Charles "Bill" Garner

Billy Charles “Bill” Garner, age 80, of Sandersville, died Saturday, July 1, 2017. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 6 ^th , at 2:00 p.m. at Sisters Baptist Church with burial in the Church Cemetery.  Reverends, Jason Loggins, Burt Parker, and Jamie Davis will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Jack Smith, Tim Adams, David Hall, Tim Keyton, Bennie Bussell, and Ben Kay.

Bill was born in Eden, Alabama, on April 20, 1937, the son of the late James Garner and the late Louise Newton Garner.  He graduated from Trussville High School in 1955 and joined the US Army in 1960 where he was stationed in Korea from 1961 to 1962. After serving his Country, Bill attended and graduated from Howard College, now Samford University, with a BS in History and Biology. He taught school at Appalachia High School in Oneonta, Alabama where he met the love of his life, Sarah Ruth Davis, at Oneonta Baptist Church.  After a year of courtship, cherry tarts, and ice cream, they were married on March 19, 1966, and enjoyed 49 years together. Bill later attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary from 1969 to 1972 earning his Masters of Divinity. Reverend Garner served as pastor of  Eastside Baptist Church in Dalton until 1974 and then Irwinton Baptist Church from 1974 to 1991.  Reverend Garner became a bi-vocational pastor in 1991 and served as associated pastor and active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wrightsville while also working as a mental health counselor for the Georgia Department of Corrections, a position he held for the next 17 years.  In retirement in Sandersville, Bill was an active member of Sisters Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School.

Bill was the most loving and caring daddy, one that God handpicked. He loved his grandchildren unconditionally and helped them grow in their faith.  Above all he loved his Savior Jesus Christ more than anything. His unwavering commitment to abide in His will was what gave him the gentle kind nature that was so reflective to all that met him. He was a truly wonderful man.

Bill is predeceased by his wife, Sarah Ruth Davis Garner; and he is survived by his daughter, Charlene Garner Kay; grandchildren, Benjamin Davis Kay and Sophie Grace Kay all of Sandersville; his brother, James Garner of Birmingham, AL.; sisters, Neva Russell of Springville, AL., Shelby Meadows of Prattville, AL., V’Elna Harima of Jacksonville, FL., and Emily Wiggins of Birmingham, AL.

The family will be at the Garner residence on Laurel Drive in Sandersville and they will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Sisters Baptist Church Transportation Ministry, 1807 E. McCarty Street, Sandersville, GA. 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com