Pastor Paul Willie D. Garner III

March 23, 1976 - November 30, 2020

Obituary of the Reverend Paul Willie D. Garner, III Pastor of The Filling Station Christian Center Fort Worth, Texas “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16 The Reverend Paul Willie D. Garner, III, 44, Founding Pastor of The Filling Station Christian Center of Fort Worth and minister of the Gospel for more than twenty years, made his triumphant transition to glory on November 30, 2020. Pastor Paul, as he was known affectionately, is remembered as a faithful and humble servant of God who made an indelible impact on the Kingdom. Pastor Paul was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Paul Garner, Jr. and Clara Bailey Garner on March 23, 1976. Pastor Paul graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1995. He attended Texas Christian University, where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Kappa Epsilon) in 1996. Pastor Paul graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor's degree in psychology (2008) and Master's degrees in professional development (2009) and higher education administration (2011). At an early age, he professed his life in Christ and was baptized by the late Reverend Joel C. Pulliam, the founding pastor of Greater Saint Stephens Missionary Baptist Church (now Greater Saint Stephens First Church). Pastor Paul was a gifted musician and songwriter who found his love for music and the piano as a member of the Rhythmic Choir of Greater Saint Stephens First Church, Rev Dr. Michael Bell, pastor. He served in the music ministries of Faith Word Bible Fellowship, the Rev. J.B. Horton, pastor; Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Arthur J. Ezell, pastor; and Body of Christ Church, the Rev. Philip Brown, Sr., pastor. Pastor Paul’s lifelong work was teaching and leading people to Christ, particularly young people. Pastor Paul accepted his call to Christian ministry at a young age. He was licensed to preach the Gospel (1994) and ordained (2002) under the leadership of Bishop James Brown, pastor of New Hope Christian Center (now Victory International). Pastor Paul served as youth minister at the Ambassadors of Christ Christian Center, the Rev. Regina Spellmon, senior pastor; Body of Christ Church, the Rev. Philip Brown, Sr., pastor; and New Breed Christian Center, the Rev. Darrell Blair, pastor. Pastor Paul founded The Filling Station Christian Center in 2011 and served as its Senior Pastor. Pastor Paul had a deep and abiding love for family. He married the love of his life, Kalisha Faith Clinton, on February 28, 1998. His beloved mother, Clara Bailey Garner, preceded him in death in 1989. Pastor Paul leaves in cherished memory his wife, Kalisha; father, Paul (Pamela); brothers, Norman (Maria) and William (Judy); sister, LaQuitha; mother-in-love, Varnette Brown; The Filling Station Christian Center family; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and close lifelong friends.