Billy Gardner

Billy Gardner, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and proud veteran of the United States Army gained his place in Heaven on December 8, 2021, at the age of 97. Billy was born in Bennington, Okla. on November 2, 1924, to Walter T. Gardner and Mary Martha (Scott) Gardner.

Billy dedicated many years of his long life to serving his country as a Sergeant Major in the United States Army. He joined during WWll, and went on to serve in the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Panama Canal. Billy was employed as a civil servant after the Army, he also owned his own heating and air company. He was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation and served as an elder at Old Church in Bennington. Billy enjoyed going to the Jack-in-the-Box, working in his garden, and spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Gardner is survived by his son, Stanley Gardner and wife Vina of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Pearl Holt and husband Derek of Bokchito, Okla., Gregory Gardner and wife Shiyeon of Durant, Okla., Carl Gardner and wife Jennifer of Durant, Okla., Samuel Gardner of Centreville, Va., Ronald Gardner and wife Jai of Helendale, Calif., Billy Gardner of Durant, Okla., Maureen Doty and husband Adam of Savoy, Texas, John (JP) Gardner and wife Ashley of Plano, Texas, Michael Gardner and wife Kelli of Calera, Okla., Lance Gardner of Arkadelphia, Ark., Michelle Patterson of Plano, Texas, Richard Gardner and wife Tiffany of McKinney, Texas, Thomas Gardner of Dallas, Texas, Rhonda Thrasher of Olympia, Wash., Janet Eckroth of Olympia, Wash., Ted Gardner of Olympia, Wash., and Tahyna Landis of Glendale, Ariz. Billy is also survived by 30 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and W.T. Gardner; wives, Lucille Gardner and Grace Gardner; children, Ronald, Greg and Phil Gardner; and siblings, Roma Lou Jackson, W.T. Gardner, LeeEtta Lyold, Kathleen Orum, Vivian Vaughn, RC Gardner, and Roscoe Gardner.

His funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Old Church in Bennington with Rev. Richard Rancher and Rev. Keith McIntyre officiating. Billy final earthly resting place will be the Old Church Cemetery in Bennington with the United States Army Signal Corp as his pallbearers.

Services under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.