Mr. William Lee Gardner

On November 29, 1933 God's angel was born, William Lee Gardner. William was the fifth of nine children born Clifton Gardner and Irene Baylor Gardner in Collinsville, Mississippi. William was raised in Decatur, Mississippi. As the oldest male child, he often cared for his ill father and siblings. He learned how to drive a school bus and helped to maintain the family farm. He attended Decatur High School. Upon graduation he joined U.S Army Engineering Corp. He served six years during the Korean War and was also stationed in Alaska. After his military service, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin uniting with his older sister, Ruth H. McCray. While in Milwaukee, he worked at the Standard Feed Mill on Buffum Street, mixing feed for cattle for $.65 per hour. He worked at International Harvester for 18 years, alongside his brother-in-law, James McCray. Later, he worked as a lab tech at Aqua-Chern until retirement after 15 years. William attended the Wisconsin College of Music taking classes in piano and voice. He was extremely talented. He was an actor, radio personality, TV broadcaster, singer, song writer and pianist. In 1966, William was a proud member of the music group "Ray Gates" and the Drumadores. One of their well known songs was "Have You Ever Had the Blues". William had many life accomplishments, but the one that gave him the greatest joy was his children. As a father, he was a teacher providing his children with the necessary guidance to be children of God who can live their lives unafraid and unapologetic to make a change for the betterment of mankind according to the word of God. One of William's key bible verses for his children was "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4: 13). At the age of eight, William accepted Jesus Christ into his life and was baptized. In 1952, he became a member of Calvary Baptist Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). fu a member of Calvary, he served on the Trustee Board, Usher Ministry, Inspirational Choir, Men's Ensemble, and was a member of the American Baptist Men's Fellowship. He lovingly served our Father for 66 years. On the night of October 16, 2019, God tenderly embraced William Lee Gardner with open arms stating, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). William L. Gardner leaves to cherish his memory four siblings: Eloise (Connie) Anderson, Edgar (Roslyn) Gardner, Vale an (Roger) Welch and Walter Gardner. William (Daddy) leaves to celebrate his life and legacy nine children: Gregory Gardner, Cedric (Angela) Gardner, Corey Martin, Princess-Angela Gardner, Gwendolyn (Grover) Thompson III, Chrystal S. Gardner, Charese A.Gardner, Jose A.D. Robinson and William D. Gardner. He further leaves 10 grandchildren, a host of loving nieces and nephews spanning ages from 68 to 7 years old, along with a host of cousins and friends. William will be joining his parents Clifton Gardner and Irene Baylor Gardner alongside his siblings: Edward Gardner, Polly Gardner, Evelyn (Gardner) Wisdom and Ruth (Gardner) McCray in Heaven. William Lee Gardner was a man who loved deeply, and was loved in return by everyone he encountered.

Mr. William Lee Gardner

November 29, 1933 - October 16, 2019