Donny Garner

William Donald (Donny) Garner

September 16, 1950- January 19, 2021

DETAILS

Donny Garner passed away January 19, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer.

Visitation will be 5 - 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX

Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Greater Waco Baptist Church, 912 E. Loop 340, Bellmead, TX 76705. Rev. Terry Wilkerson will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on the OakCrest Funeral Home Facebook page,

Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Social distancing and facial coverage are required at the visitation and funeral.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Donny was born in Gonzales, Tx on September 16, 1950 to William Donald and Leona May (Simmons) Garner. He attended school in Cuero, McKinney, and La Vega. He graduated from LaVega High School in 1969. Donny was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Joyce Shaw on July 11, 1970 at Oak Lawn Baptist Church. Donny and Joyce were members at Oak Lawn Baptist church for many years where Donny served as a Deacon and later at Bellmead First Baptist.

Donny worked at Texas Coffin Company until he was hired by the Waco Fire Department in 1974. He worked for Waco for 3 Years, at which point he continued his firefighting career at Bellmead fire department. Donny retired from Bellmead Fire after 20 years. Although he retired from the fire service as a professional he continued to service as a Volunteer firefighter at Bellmead Fire Dept and later at Leroy – Axtell Fire Rescue. He then worked at multiple ambulance services in Waco as a paramedic for 23 years.

Upon retirement in December of 2015, Donny worked part time as a customer concierge at Freddy Kish Complete Car Center. In August of 2020 Donny completed 50 years in the fire service. At that same time Donny was honored with the KWTX Be Remarkable Recipient Award. He was the first person to receive this honor in McLennan County.

Donny was preceded in death by his parents, and niece Jada Garner.

Survivors include his wife Joyce; sons, Kevin and wife, Rosa of Grand Prairie, TX, Scott and wife, Melissa of Axtell, TX; Brothers, David Garner of Waco, TX, Jerry and wife, Mallory Garner of Plano, TX, and Mike Garner of Waco, TX. Mother-in-law, Melva Smallwood of Waco, TX. Grandchildren McKinnah, Araceli, Nathanael, Sagen, and Blakely Garner, and Nieces, Nephews, extended family, and friends.