William John Garner – Jennifer Garner's Father Commanded Much Respect

William John Garner, also known as Bill Garner, gave Hollywood one of its most prominent actresses, but not without developing an everlasting bond with her first. He established a notable career in the military and chemical engineering sectors before settling down and building a family.

In August 2018, Jennifer Garner joined numerous actors, actresses, and musicians on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the city honored her with a star. She graced the high-profile event with her presence, but the "Alias" star wasn't alone, as her family was also in attendance, to whom she bore a striking resemblance.

Among them was her dad, William John Garner, a proud father of three with his wife, Patricia Ann Garner. William was a conservative dad who was particular about what he did and didn't allow for his children. Now a retired chemical engineer, he values quality time with his family and sailing with his wife.

William John Garner Felt His Daughters Should Be Wholesome

William drew his first breath in Baytown, Texas, on "the 21st night of September," as his daughter once revealed on Instagram. It's unclear what year he was born, but by 1961, he had joined the US Air Force, first as part of the F-101 ADC fighter squadron. He was appointed 1ST/LT Captain a year and a half later and retired from the army in 1964.

The following year, William enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied Aerosol Physics and Industrial Hygiene. He later studied Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M. He enjoyed high-ranking managerial positions at Union Carbide Chemical Co. throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

He retreated once for a year-and-a-half-long role at Molten Metal Technology between June 1996 and December 1997 before returning to Union Carbide Chemical Co for his last few years. It's unknown how he and his wife met or when they married, but Patricia became a housewife after they settled down.

William's second youngest, Jennifer, recalled that her mom "did all the cooking and cleaning, made our clothes, and cut out paper dolls" when she and her sisters were little. Patricia later attained her master's and became an English teacher. When the actress, who was born on April 17, 1972, was three, her family moved to Charleston, West Virginia.

In another interview, Jennifer said she and her siblings were forbidden from piercing their ears, even though they went ahead — much to William's surprise — when they were younger. Other things William prohibited were hair layers, dyes, perms, and manicures, as Jennifer explained:

"My dad didn't think it was ladylike. My dad just felt like his daughters should be wholesome. Luckily for my dad, none of us really bucked him on it. We were all fine with it."

William John Garner Retired and Adopted Sailing as a Hobby

Jennifer initially followed in William's footsteps, majoring in Chemical Engineering at Denison University. She later switched to a Drama degree. Like her dad, the Golden Globe winner settled down with Ben Affleck (now married to Jennifer Lopez), and they had three children before divorcing amicably in 2018. The "Gone Girl" actor gets along with her current lover.

William's eldest daughter, Melissa Garner, works in the marketing department of Gillette, and his youngest, Susannah Garner, is a West Virginia state accountant. Contrary to their famous sister, little is known about their personal lives. Their father retired from Union Carbide Chemical Co. in 2001.

William treated himself afterward, as Jennifer revealed in 2003, "My dad got his retirement boat a year ago, and now they're sailing around the Bahamas." He also shares his adventures on his Facebook page. In 2021, he wrote about a family vacation he took with his Garner girls and grandkids to Oklahoma.

William John Garner Joined His Daughter in an Ad

Whether it's his birthday, Father's Day, or even random appreciation posts, William is frequently the subject of moving tributes from Jennifer. In 2016, he joined her when she appeared in a Capital One ad, where she sweetly recalled him proudly telling a sales assistant over the phone that he was, in fact, her father.