Bill Clinton Garner

Bill Clinton Garner, 84, of Roanoke, Va., left his worldly home for his heavenly home on Friday, August 6, 2010. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Claudine Garner; daughter, Julie Mallett; mother-in-law, Becka; aunts-in-law, Gussie and Baby; and sister-in-law, Sara Lou. Bill was a very devoted husband and father and is survived by his wife, Barbara Knibb Garner, with whom he had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; daughters, Becky Garner Watts (Blake), Cindi Garner, and Jennifer Wacenske (William); five grandchildren, Josh Mallett, Eric Wacenske (Dea), Emma, Colin, and Julia Watts; former son-in-law, Robert Mallet (Diane). He also leaves two sisters, Jackie Jones and Patricia Wilson. Bill served in the Navy CB's during World War II and helped build airstrips in the South Pacific so the newspaper headlines could read "the Marines have landed." He was an employee of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad and was recently awarded a diamond pin for 60 years of service in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Bill was a member of the Cave Spring Lions Club serving as president for the year 1995 to 1996. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 9, 2010, at Oakey's South Chapel with the Rev. Donna Hopkins Britt of Calvary Baptist Church officiating, assisted by Dr. Marvin Barbre of Good Samaritan Hospice. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Oakey's South Chapel. The family would like to give special thanks to Roger King, of Home Instead Hospice, for his loving care and dedicated service to Bill during his months of illness. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131.