Billy Joe "B.J." Garner

Billy Joe "B.J." Garner, 73, of Commerce passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, in Dallas. He was a former member of the Dallas County and Hunt County Sheriff Departments.

"B.J." was born February 15, 1936, in Forney, Texas, to Jake and Mabel Garner. On May 5, 1978, he married Mary Jo McCord in Rockwall. He had been a Commerce resident since 1981.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo Garner of Commerce; five sons: Thomas Garner of Garland, Johnny Garner of Rowlett, Ronnie Garner of Garland, Rob Killingsworth of Point, and Brad Killingsworth of Lewisville, Howard Killingsworth of Dallas, and Frank Killingsworth of Lucas; two daughters; Donna Garner Albright of Scott Air Force Base, IL., and Jennette Killingsworth-Burnett of Commerce; and a brother, Kenneth Garner of Sacul, TX.

He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Johnathon Garner, Lynsey Garner, Brandi Albright, Bailey Albright, Blake Albright, Justin Killingsworth, Jordan Killingsworth, Jared Killingsworth, Crystal Harper, Marcus Killingsworth, Lara Killingsworth, Brian Killingsworth, Ty Killingsworth, Hunter Killingsworth, Callie Killingsworth, Travis Burnett, and Taner Burnett; and two great-grandchildren: Matthew Harper and Zoe Ann Killingsworth.

Visitation will be Monday, April 13, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce.

Pallbearers will be Thomas Garner, Johnny Garner, Ronnie Garner, Rob Killingsworth, Brad Killingsworth, Howard Killingsworth, and Frank Killingsworth.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lonnie Beadles, Paul Fleming, Steve Hazelip, David Johnson, Carl Massey, Norman Ulmer, L. D. Hawkins, and Erskin Melton.