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Funeral services for Mr. William Joseph Gardner, 83, who died peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, will be held at 11 o'clock on Saturday, September 26, 2015 in the Chapel of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Don Childers will officiate with burial in Clyde Church of God Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 until 11 am in the Chapel. Mr. Gardner was born in Indianapolis, IN, a son of the late Rev. Robert A. Gardner and Jessie Pearl Bridges Gardner. William Gardner had many roles through his life. Among them, he was a son. He was a husband for 57 years. He was a father and he was a grandfather. He was a man who loved God and family. William was a diverse man of many talents and interests. Through his life his occupations ranged from manufacturing engineering, solving complex mechanical and mathematical problems to caring for those less able to care for themselves in a nursing home. Over the years, he developed a bit of a fascination for computers. He would take them apart, change components, and put them back together. When one was all properly configured, he would sometimes express his frustration with it and then do it again the next week. Through everything, William remained a faithful husband for 57 years to his wife Mildred, until death did they part. In today's society, that's a very admirable accomplishment. However, though that is a wonderful accomplishment, we can't overlook or lessen the contribution of his wife to make it happen. Over the years, he gained a wealth of knowledge about all kinds of things. He always had time to share with anyone who would listen, sometimes whether they wanted to listen or not. He struggled with several health issues for years. All those struggles are over now. He has been released from the bonds of his physical body and now he can rest in the presence of our Lord. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mildred Griffith Gardner of Hartsville, SC; sons, Robert "Bob" (Kim) Gardner of Hartsville, SC, John William Gardner of Hartsville, SC; brother, Richard Gardner of Lakeland, FL; sister, Roberta Gardner Weathers of Winston Salem, NC; grandchildren, Jessica Gardner Simmons, Grace (Terry) Johnson, Jr., Christopher McElveen, and Josh (Megan) Gardner; six great grandchildren.

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Mr. William Joseph Gardner

June 4, 1932 - September 23, 2015