Jennifer Garner's father William dead at 85: Actress announces her father passed 'peacefully' over Easter weekend as she pays tribute to his 'gentle demeanor and quiet strength'

Jennifer Garner's father, William John Garner, has died aged 85, the actress announced in a heartbreaking statement on Monday.

Posting a snap of the pair, the actress, 51, wrote:  'My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question.) 

'While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.

'Today is for gratitude. We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.

We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope. Your care extended Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots— surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and— most of all—next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.

Jennifer Garner's father, William John Garner, has died aged 85, the actress announced in a heartbreaking statement on Monday

Posting a snap of the pair, the actress, 51, wrote: 'My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question'

'There is so much to say about my dad— my sisters and I will never be done talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us— but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.

Social media users and celebrities jumped to the comment section to express their condolensces to Garner and her loved ones. 

One fan penned, 'So sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace,' while another added, 'This is so very beautiful. Sending love to your family.' 

21 Jump Street alum, Holly Robinson Peete wrote, 'I'm so sorry Jen. Sending love to you. It's so hard to lose your father. What a blessing to have had him for so long.' 

Zoe Saldana typed, 'Our sincerest condolences to you and your family,' and Mean Girls actress, Lacey Chabert added, 'I'll be holding you and your family in my heart ❤️ I'm so sorry.' 

Lily Collins wrote, 'Sending you and your whole family the most love and light and hugs,' while Elizabeth Banks typed, 'Sending light and love your way. May his memory always be a blessing.'  

In one image shared in the post, Jennifer uploaded an adorable selfie that she had taken with her father while sitting outdoors. 

The 13 Going On 30 actress also included photos that had been taken over the years when she was growing up, such as an old family portrait. She then shared a fun memory as she slid down a water slide with her father in one picture.

Another image had captured her father having fun on a boat that floated on the water with her mother. One picture showed her mother and father years later as they lovingly smiled towards each other. 

Jennifer rested her face on her father's shoulder in a throwback image as they enjoyed a picnic together. 

'While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners,' she added 

'Today is for gratitude. We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad,' Jennifer wrote 

Social media users and celebrities jumped to the comment section to express their condolensces to Garner and her loved ones

The 13 Going On 30 actress also included photos that had been taken over the years when she was growing up, such as an old family portrait

She shared a fun memory as she slid down a water slide with her father when she was a little girl

Another image had captured her father having fun on a boat that floated on the water with her mother

One picture showed her mother and father years later as they lovingly smiled towards each other

Garner was raised in West Virginia by William - a chemical engineer - as well as mother Patricia, and has two sisters named Melissa and Susannah. 

Earlier this year in January, the actress celebrated her parents 59th wedding anniversary and took to Instagram to ring in the big milestone. 

'Happy 59th anniversary to my incredibly sweet and loving parents. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving my sisters and me such a secure, happy start to life,' she penned alongside a photo of her mother and father together. 

During an interview with Southern Living in January, Garner reflected on her childhood and growing up in West Virginia - where both her mother and sister Susannah still reside. 'I'm happy to be anywhere in the state,' the actress gushed. 

Both the actress and William appeared to have a close bond, and he notably supported Garner when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2018. 

And in 2016, he appeared alongside his daughter in a Capital One commercial to honor Bring Your Father to Work Day, per People. 

During the ad, the star could be sitting inside what appeared to be a spacious set and said, 'When I first started working with Capital One, my dad called them up and asked for the Jennifer Garner card, which is such a dad thing to do...' 

Jennifer rested her face on her father's shoulder in a throwback image as they enjoyed a picnic together

21 Jump Street alum, Holly Robinson Peete wrote, 'I'm so sorry Jen. Sending love to you. It's so hard to lose your father. What a blessing to have had him for so long'

Both the actress and William appeared to have a close bond, and notably supported Garner when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2018 (seen above) 

And in 2016, he appeared alongside his daughter in a Capital One commercial

At one point, her father appeared on the screen and laid his right hand on her shoulder and asked the famous line: 'What's in your wallet?'  

Back in September of last year, Jennifer surprised her father with a joy ride in his childhood car when she went home to West Virginia for the weekend. 

The Elektra actress shared a snap of herself posing with her happy dad next to a 1948 Studebaker Champion, captioning the photo carousel post for her 14.6 million Instagram followers with, '36 hours at home.' 

She added a detail about the heartwarming photo with her dad, writing, 'Dad's early birthday surprise: a ride in his childhood car — 1948 Studebaker Champion — with kind and generous David King.' He turned 85-years-old on September 21.

It is not known if she bought him the car or if he already had it. Standing arm in arm with her father, the 51-year-old Alias star looked radiant as she went makeup free for the snap. 

Keeping it casual, she let her chestnut brown locks loose around her shoulders, wearing a simple grey T-shirt and a pair of dark denim jeans.  

The trip home was packed with events for Ben Affleck's ex-wife, who also hosted a Once Upon A Farm multipack giveaway at her hometown Kroger grocery store. 

Back in September Jennifer surprised her father, William John Garner, with a joy ride in his childhood car when she went home to West Virginia for the weekend

Like mother, like daughter: The Daredevil star also shared a sweet snap of herself holding hands with her mother, Patricia Ann Garner 

Sisters for life: Jennifer's little sister Susannah rocked an Auburn University T-shirt, which prompted a complimentary comment from Octavia Spencer

Jennifer co-founded the company – which specializes in organic baby food, smoothies and applesauce for kids — in 2017. 

In addition to sharing fun pictures of her hosting the giveaway, and the snaps with her mom and dad, the Yes Day star also shared a rare photo with her little, lookalike sister, Susannah Garner. 

The brunette beauty added the following description for the photo with Susannah, lovingly writing, 'I can't imagine life without my little sister, Susannah.' 

She also gave a shoutout to her older sister, Melissa Garner Wylie by noting, 'We missed you Melissa!' 

Not one to stop there with loving shout outs to her family, the ageless actress also included a photo of herself hugging her nephew at his soccer game, writing, 'I love my nephew' replacing the word 'love' with a red heart emoji. 

Her 'beloved ballet teacher, mentor, and second mother, Nina Lu Pasinetti,' also showed up to her Kroger event, so the Catch Me If You Can star included a photo with her former teacher in the family-packed photo carousel. 

In addition to the selfies with family and friends, the Pearl Harbor starlet included a funny video of herself attempting to cook, joking in the description that, 'Jen's cooking = smoke alarm.' 

Several celebrities commented on the Dallas Buyers Club's photo carousel, including Octavia Spencer, who wrote, 'War eagle to your sister. She has great taste in tshirts!' referring to the battle cry for Auburn University.  

Goal: The Love, Simon star included several pics in the photo carousel where she attended her nephew's soccer game with her sister Susannah by her side 

Beauty in blue: The Once Upon A Farm co-founder hosted a giveaway of products from her brand at her hometown Kroger grocery store 

Sweet as sugar: The Texas-born beauty also included extra photos on her Instagram stories that she couldn't fit in her photo carousel, including a snap of herself standing in front of Ellen's Ice Creams e

Business maven: The A-list star was happy to host a Once Upon A Farm giveaway at her hometown Kroger 

Showing support: The Juno actress looked positively petite in a photo with her little nephew at his soccer game 

En pointe: The Camping starlet made sure to give a shoutout to her 'beloved' ballet teacher Nina Lu Pasinetti 

Mindy Kaling commented, 'This is beautiful. He seems like the best Dad! You're so lucky!'

Michelle Pfeiffer sent a heart emoji on Garner's Instagram post

Comedian Fortune Femister added, 'Here's to your dad. Thank you for sharing these sweet memories. Sending you so much love.'

Actress Melanie Lynskey added, 'So, so much love to you. He seems like an amazing man' with a heart emoji

Reese Witherspoon added, 'My sweet friend... sending you all my angels to help carry him home'

The down to Earth star was only in West Virginia for 36 hours, but she made sure to make the most of it by attending her nephew's soccer game and sharing selfies on her Instagram stories in front of several other local businesses. 

In one snap she happily posed in front of Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream in Charleston, rocking the same outfit she was wearing when she surprised her dad with his early birthday present. 

She also joked, 'What am I, suddenly a soccer expert?' under a video in the photo carousel where she and her sister Susannah watched her nephew play in a soccer game. 

 Rounding out her photo recap of her jam-packed trip was a photo of the West Virginia capitol building and a beautiful photo of the accomplished actress and business entrepreneur watching a pink-tinged sunset.