Wilfred O. Bill Gardner
November 23, 1924 ~ April 22, 2015
PORTLAND Wilfred O. Bill Gardner, 90, of Portland, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Maine Medical Center. Born in Portland on November 23, 1924, Bill was the son of the late Wilfred and Gertrude (McMennamin) Gardner. Six weeks after his birth, his mother died and for the next 5 years, he was boarded with the George W. Harris family on Fallbrook Street. His 4 sisters were boarded at St. Elizabeths Orphanage on High Street. At the age of 5, he went on to live with his grandmother, father, aunts, and uncles in Libbytown. When Bill was 10 years old, he rejoined his sisters and father and lived together until the onset of WWII. He attended West, Libby, St. Dominics, and St. Patricks grammar schools. On the evening of his graduation from Cheverus High School on June 6, 1942, he went to the hospital for an operation that would enable him to join the United States Navy. On August 6, 1942, Bill and his father left Union Station by train for boot camp in Newport, RI. His sister Rose also served in the Navy as a Wave. While Bill served aboard the USS Izard DD589 from May of 1943 until December of 1945 in the Pacific Theater of Operations, they participated in 23 Major Campaigns from Tarawa to Iwo Jima. They also came under attack in some of the first Kamikaze attacks in Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines. They earned 12 Battle Stars for their actions. At wars end, they participated in the occupation of Hokadate on the island of Hokkaido. He was recalled to naval service during the Korean War and served aboard the USS Hyman DD 732 in the Mediterranean. Bill is permanent President of the USS Izard association, which meets yearly in different parts of the country. He worked at the Strand Theater as an usher, Rines Bros. and Owen Moores as a shoe salesman, and SS Kresges for 5 years in Portland, Augusta, and Lewiston as an assistant manager. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1984, where he was the Par Coordinator. Bill was a communicant of St. Patricks Church and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where he was an usher for over 30 years. He was a charter member of ALMACA and the Sahara Club. He served on various boards, including NCA-ME, Southern Maine Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, Milestone Foundation of Old Orchard Beach, Maine Senior Games, Inc. He was an active participant in Track and Field events, winning numerous medals. Bill was a member of the Harold T. Andrews Post #17 and a past treasurer of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Casco Bay Chapter 0206. For over 22 years, he was a member of USM Lifeline. For a number of years after his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering his time at St. Patricks to paint classrooms. Bill was a friend of Bill W. Bill was extremely proud of his grandsons; Stephen Leadbetter, who joined the Marines and served in Desert Storm and is now serving in the United States Coast Guard and Franklin for his service in the United States Army. Bill is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Theresa (Niles) Gardner, daughters Margaret J. Gardner and Elizabeth Gardner Demchak. He is survived by daughter Maryjane Gardner Roberts of Saco, son William X. Gardner, and grandchildren Peggy Ann Emmons, Stephen Leadbetter, and Richard Scott Demchak. Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday from 3-7PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited on Monday at the Funeral Home at 9:15AM followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To share an online condolence with the family, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.
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Our hearts are heavy with sympathy.
– Ron and Marilyn Porell
I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man. Always so kind and respectful. He will be missed.
– Katherine Fiedler
A very sad day for Portland’s recovery community,as Bill was,quite simply,a good man,and a great example of long term recovery.Thanks a bunch Bill,and I know you are resting in peace.You deserve it,but my selfish self,wishes you were still with us.
– Dave Clark
Bill was a great power of example and helped our family in the past year with good orderly direction and love. I will miss Bill on Sunday morning’s, he was always so bright, full of wisdom and always found time for a hug. May your rest in peace with your loved ones. I will continue carrying the message that you taught me. All my love dear friend, Katie K.
– Kate Kelly
Happy
– Tammystanley
Farewell my dearest friend. You will be in my heart foreverMy sincerest sympathy to his family. How blessed we all were
– Tina
Bill’s passing leaves a huge hole in the community. A true gentleman.
– John Flaherty
A close friend for 39 years. Words cannot express the friendship and admiration I had for Bill.
– Stan L
I am so sorry for your loss. In my early recovery (33 years ago) Bill was kind and supportive. I worked at the Sahara Club, and my life was difficult. Every single day, Bill was generous with encouraging words. I no longer live in Maine, if I did, wild horses couldn’t keep me from going to his funeral.
– Bonney R
Bill was a great man and very helpful to me and countless others just by his presence. And, I bet he never knew how many of us he has helped. He truely was part of the greatest generation.
– Tim McBrady
We started out in the halls where you introduced me to the women who would carry me through the beginning of my recovery. When I grew in the program and the love of a God I was able to see the ones who became most important to me. I have known YOU have my life you have always been so kind. Then I knew we would live in the same apt. Building, how wonderful that I got to share the last 13 years living across the hall. We both have had so much asked of us but just knowing you were there was priceless to me. Thank you for the little things you did that became so big. The palms, shamrock, a quick, slogan, hug,laugh but most of all the medallions for the last 10 years. I love you and will miss you. Rest peacefully my dear friend, your wife and friends have been waiting.
– Diane greenwood
Beautiful family
– Tammystanley
Dear Uncle Wil, I so enjoyed seeing you and sitting with you at church each week. Little did I know that our parting in the rain last Saturday would be our last. when I expressed my concern for you, your response was typical: ” Honey, I have just had too many birthdays!” You were a true gentleman, kind, funny, generous and self effacing. You will be missed, but what you taught us all through your actions will forever be an example of how we should live, and deal with life’s adversities…with patience, kindness, forgiveness and joy. Love you, See you on the other side, XO, Maureen
– Maureen Regan
Godspeed my friend, you were truly one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met..
– Ted Borduas
A friend for 39 years. Words cannot express the friendship and admiration I had for this man.may he rest in peace.
– stan
Dear Janey and Bill Jr,We are so sorry to learn of the passing of your Dad. Our family has always loved your family and you will always remain in our hearts. I am so thankful for our recent visit and that I was able to tell your Dad one more time that I loved him. He will be missed by many. We wish you peace.
– Kathi & Joe Mozolic
I am so sorry for your loss . I know my parents used to be good friends with your parents, and I do remember coming over to there house to visit them , with my parents ,Bob +Jessie Farley.
– Nancy (Farley) Welsch
Such a loss for so many of us who were privileged to know Bill over the years. He will be dearly missed.
– Janet and David Clough
Thank you for being the great power of example that you were. You helped so many of us. Godspeed Bill.
– Andy V.
Thank you for being the great power of example that you were. You helped so many of us. Godspeed Bill.
– Andy V.
Bill’s passing leaves a huge hole in the community. I am so privileged to have become his friend. He will be deeply missed.
– Nancy G
Always looked forward to bumping into Bill. A true gentleman of kind words.
– Dennis perkins
I’m very sorry to see and hear of this. You were truly one of the best of the Greatest Generation, and the world will miss you. Thank you for the service you selflessly gave to protect our freedoms, and your example to people young and old struggling with addiction, and last but certainly not least, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the years of kindness and caring you’ve shown my mother, Diane Greenwood, as her neighbor.You may not be here, but you’ll never be forgotten.Bye Bill
– John Grover
So sorry to hear of Bills passing he was a wonderful neighbor when I lived at island view .I will miss seeing Bill this summer at east end beach as he always spoke and waved as he passed by on his walks he will be definitely missed !!!! sincerely Bonnie Cram
– bonnie cram
My family and I will miss you. You always showed a kindness to all that we respected very much. Rest in peace uncle Will
– Ed & Debbie Conley
My deepest condolences to Bills family and our community, his passing leaves a big void in many lives. I’ve had the pleasure of his friendship and his wisdom for 25 years. He truly was the epitome of a man of integrity and moral character .
– Joey McLeod
You were truly a man of Integrity,Honor and Grace. Myself and Many others were blessed to have known you. Rest In Peace Bill..
– Kathy Silver
It was a privilege knowing and working with you and for you at par since 1963. You were a power of example for all of us. Friend, George
– George B. Fahey
We were both born on November 23 he in 1924 and I in 1934. Great man and sorelymissed.
– Dan Crewe
Dear Billy: I was so sorry to hear that your Father passed away. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult and sad time.
– Karen Mills
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I’m sure you know what a great man your father and grandfather was.He was funny, had a very compassionate side to him and was always willing to show up to help.For years he called me “George” and I called him “Harry.”Rest in Peace Harry! Save a seat for me at the big meeting in the sky.Dave
– Dave Bulger
So sorry to hear of his passing. Got to spend some time with him and Janie at the wedding last year . Was wonderful to see them. We go back to 1967. It truly was a pleasure and a privilege to have known the Gardners for most of my life . Love and condolences to the family . Rest in Peace. The Good Lord will take good care of them !!
– Rick Demchak
Oh my dearest “Wild Bill!”, I saw you Tuesday and was blessed with one of your amazing hugs! God blessed me with the years he shared you with us all I’m sure. I was shocked today to pick up a random newspaper and see your picture, I lost my breath and sobbed at the overlook in disbelief ! I thought of Peggy and how proud you were of your grandson.., I could hear you telling me you were fine .. The way you did sometimes when we were neighbors.I suddenly remembered the many donut coffee cemetery tours you took me on filling the time with amazingly hilarious or touching stories in your latest new car! My god what a gentleman, scholar and sweetest man I ever met! The mold has been broken, you’re finally at rest with all of those you loved and held dear and missed so very much. God speed to you my dear “Wild Bill” I’ll never forget the kindness the laughter the twinkle in your eyes and that omg dry wit! Peaceful Blessings Bill. I’ll make sure Peggy’s got my number! I love you my friend .. Lisa Johnson
– Lisa Johnson
A Gentleman- a Kind hearted person – a Light in the Dark – God surely has a special place for him and his family – he will be missed yet not forgotten
– Michael E Mc Carthy
I knew Bill for the past 20 years as a Friend of Bill W. Each summer at Sugarloaf I was so grateful to sit with him at all the meals and speaker’s meetings. I would also, always with a few fellow Camden friends travel to Portland to celebrate his anniversaries. The “pass it on” element of recovery was handed down from Bill to me by his long time (36 years) sponsee Phil M. My life has born the fruits from Bill’s life and experiences in so many ways he never knew. I wish we could have had one more Round Up together so I could thank him for all his wisdom, experience, and humor he gave me during the past years. God Bless him, as Bill ‘s life touched so many lives like mine. Humbly, John Parkman, Camden, Maine
– John Parkman
Words cannot express the feelings of loss, old friend. You were there for Angela’s mom and my dad before we came along, almost 30 years ago. Thank you for your service to our country and to the recovery community. Rest In Peace Bill.
– Mike & Angela Carleton
Love it
– Tammystanley
Bill was a wonderful man and friend. We are in Florida and will be unable to attend Bill’s service. Our deepest sympathy to the family. The entire St. Patrick’s community will miss him.
– Sharon and Phil Conley
It turns out that Bill worked with my Dad, Bob Rowell, at the Portland Post Office.Bill helped me to deal with my estrangement from my children, during my recovery. He was very kind, giving me his phone number, and always taking time to answer questions. Thanks to his help, I’m able to continue growing, learning, and helping others.God rest your soul, Bill and may God bless your family
– Bill Rowell
So happy
– Tammystanley
MaryJane, We just heard of Your Fathers passing while visiting Family here in Florida. I’d like to Honer and respect Him as the Both of You have done recently at my Fathers services . I’ll always remember attending Steves Marine Corp graduation and how Proud You Both were. What Your Dad has given His Family and Country is why we’ve all served and will Never Forget. Michael and Janice Ferrante
– Michael and Janice Ferrante
Bill, thank you for your words of wisdom. You were dedicated to recovery for all . You will be missed by all and never forgotten . What a POWER OF EXAMPLE you were and will be even after you are gone. Love, Brenda
– Brenda W.
So very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I am glad to have seen him at the wedding.
– Christy Demchak
He was a friend to all. Such a kind caring man. So sad to hear of his passing. Rip my friend
– Mary Kopenga finch
My sincere condolences to Bill’s family. His was a life well lived, especially for all of those he helped. I had the privilege to know Bill through the Postal Service. May God rest him now as he definitely earned it over some ninety years.
– Art Piteau
Precious
– Tammystanley
Ron and I met Bill when we first moved to Maine, and are deeply saddened by his passing. We will surely miss the presence of a truly kind person.
– Ron and Marilyn Porell
So sorry for your loss. I am so happy that we got to see him last week. He was a wonderful man.
– Maureen McEwen
Our hearts are heavy with sympathy.
– Ron and Marilyn Porell