William Gardner

William (Willie), age 90 of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on April 7, 2013 at Doctor’s Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. William was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1922, but moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois while very young and lived in Chicago until the time he enlisted in the United States Army. He was an Army Veteran of World War II. He fought across Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge, receiving a Purple Heart.

William moved to Corpus Christi, Texas from Chicago, Illinois in 1954 where he met and married Beth Gardner in 1955. He and wife Beth were longtime members of West Heights Baptist Church since 1955. “Willie”, as most of his friends and fellow workers called him, was a meat cutter, salesman, and market manager until the time of his retirement. After his retirement, he was employed at Wal-Mart as a “door greeter”, part time.

Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, June Hall of Chicago, Illinois and her husband, Clifford Hall. “Willie” was above all a “People Person” and a very generous and loving man and was loved by all who worked with him and had the pleasure of knowing him. He especially loved the elderly and spent many years going to two local nursing homes to bring devotionals and spread cheer and comfort to the senior citizens. He will be greatly missed by all survivors including his wife Beth, son, Gerald (Jerry) Gardner, and daughter-in-law Sherry, one grandson, Gregory Wayne Gardner, his wife Cara, granddaughter, Susan Eileen Ketter, and husband Toby, three great-granddaughters, Grace Nicole Gardner, Taylor McKenzie Ketter, and Coleigh Eileen Ketter, three great grandsons, Judah Wayne Gardner, Titus Joel Gardner, and Lincoln Thomas Ketter, two nephews, and one niece through his sister June. He also is survived by a great niece, Crystal Elliott, and her two sons Caleb and Keiland.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Ronnie Watson and Brother Ronnie Morales officiating. Testimonials are welcome. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff responsible for William Gardner’s recent care at Doctor’s Regional Hospital. Everyone was wonderful – a fitting response to a good and decent man.