Billy Joe Barger

Billy Joe Barger was born in Freestone, Texas on June 23, 1936 to Henry Edgar and Nettie Delanie Christian Barger. He went to be with the Lord on September 26, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Louise Baldwin Barger, three children, Kenneth (Ginger Sharp), Keith (Kari Ehmke), Kimberly (Kenneth) Moeller and seven grandchildren: Stasha, Christian, Shelby, Cassandra, Curtis, Jessica, and Jackson. Also surviving are four brothers, three sisters and many nephews and nieces.
Bill graduated from Mexia High School, attended Baylor University and then received specialized computer training through IBM. He retired from the administrative offices of Kraft Foods, previously known as General Foods, after 34 ½ years of service. Following his retirement he worked as a special consultant to Kraft.
He loved his life as the spouse of an ordained minister and was a role model for how men function in that responsibility. He was often asked to mentor other men who were married to women in ministry.
He and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally, including India, Manipur, Amsterdam, Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Prague. Each country offered something unique that made travel there a memorable experience. Traveling through India made one aware of how we are blessed with the basic necessities of life. A special occasion was the invitation to have high tea with the Japanese ambassador at the Japanese Embassy. In Manipur it was possible to experience a culture that is primarily Christian because of early missionaries, but one that has been careful not to lose their cultural heritage. Amsterdam held many interests, including the paintings of Van Gogh at the city's museum. Israel was particularly meaningful to him as he traveled to Bethlehem, the surrounding towns, and to Jerusalem. Along with others he took communion in the Garden of the Tomb. Egypt was remembered for the great pyramids and for the five lanes of traffic that were packed into three official lanes. In Greece, Turkey, and Italy he followed the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and experienced the breathtaking art works and sculptures and the amazing ancient ruins. For those with music interests, he saw a Stradivari that is only taken out of its protective environment at the museum for very special violinists. While in Prague he visited the nearby town of Lititz which had been utterly destroyed by the Gestapo during World War II. On a more lighthearted note, he visited the crystal factory and watched the carving of the serving pieces (Yes, he brought some home with him.), and he sat at an outdoor café in the town square so that he could see the clock tower in the church across the way where every hour, on the hour, the carved figures of the twelve disciples move across the opening.
He volunteered in many capacities in churches throughout the United States and was a member of twenty plus years at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. His faith, his family, and his friends were the foundation and touchstone of his life.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to the American Baptist Seminary of the West, 2606 Dwight Way, Berkeley, California 94704 and Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 East Girard Ave., Denver, Colorado 80224.