Family and friends of Billie Hubert Gardner will gather to celebrate his life and faith with an outdoor memorial service at Hill Crest Cemetery, 601 Highway 80, Haughton, LA; on Thursday April 15, at 11:00 am, with an indoor visitation between 10:00 and 10:45 am.
Billie was born August 12, 1927 to Garland Hubert and Katie Stevenson Gardner in Shreveport, LA. He spent his formative years in Hall Summit where he graduated from HSHS in 1944. Billie briefly attended LSU before enlisting in the Navy. He returned in 1946 and married his hometown sweetheart, Dorothy Elaine Teekell, on April 10, 1948.
Billie apprenticed under his father as a tile setter, before beginning his life-long career in retail at Teekell Brothers Dry Goods store in downtown Bossier City. He briefly managed the Freestate Bealls Department Store in Shreveport before moving into the general office where he worked as a buyer and merchandise manager until his retirement in 1983.
Billie and his father were baptized together at Hall Summit Baptist Church, and his unwavering commitment to his Savior served as a beacon for his life until his death. He faithfully contributed his time, wisdom, talent and monetary blessings as a member and deacon at Barksdale, Riverside, and South Bossier Baptist Churches. He influenced the lives of many in his church, work place, community and family by unselfishly offering what he believed were blessings from God.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister Jo Anne Davis. He is survived by his sister, Martha “Tinker” Gahagan; sister in law, Diane and husband Jimmy Jackson of Dover, FL: daughter, Kathy and husband Dr. Galan Sanders of Bossier City; their daughters, Merideth of Houston, Ellen and her husband Blake Williams and their son Wyatt of Houston; daughter, Terri and husband Bill Jones of Bossier City, their sons, Cameron his wife Emily and their children, Evelyn, Oliver and Dorothy of Shreveport; K. Gardner his wife Leslie and their children, Greyson, Annika and Cecile of Bossier City; and Tyler Jones of Bossier City; son, Bill Gardner of Fort Worth, and his children Will and Suzy of Austin; Garland and Charley of Austin; and Sam and Clarissa of Asheville, NC.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Dorothy, Lashunda, Monica, and Tasha; the staff of Brookdale Senior Living; and the numerous other care givers that provided tender care in Billie’s last year.
Our father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed peacefully to his eternal home on Friday morning, April 9th at Brookdale.
Pallbearers for the service will be Galen Sanders, Bill Jones, Cameron Jones, Gardner Jones, Tyler Jones, Blake Williams; with Will Gardner, Garland Gardner, Sam Gardner, Tommy Gregorczyk, Charles Dingler serving as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial Donations can be made to South Bossier Baptist Church and Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
