William Edward Gardner was born June 10, 1920 to William M. and Gertrude Fern

Rickel Gardner.  He was born and raised in Perry Twp. Roswburg, Ohio and was a

1938 graduate of Ashland High School.

Mr Gardner served in the United States Army as S/Sgt, Company C, 811th Tank

Destroyer Battalion, that fought with the First Army in the Battle of the Bulge and

was among those trapped at Bastogne.  His company received the Distinguisted Unit

Citation at the Battle of St. Vitte, after which they were used as spearheads for

General Pattons Third Army.  William Received a Bronze Star medal for heroic

achievement near Gera, Germany on April 15, 1945.

On May 18, 1946, William married Ella Lorene Welch.  He was a loving father to his

sons, William K (Linda) Gardner, Charles E. (Rebecca) Gardner of Hayesville and his

daughter Judy G (William) Ichord of Vienna, Virginia.

Proud grandfather to 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Mitchell) Hastings, Andrew (Amy)

Gardner, Hope (Chance) VanGundy, Faith (Herman) Huffman, Heather Ichord and

Brian Ichord.  He also has 9 great-grandchildren,  Ryann, Lauren, Rachel, Alexis,

Lincoln, Griffin, Blaze, Breeze and Saylor.

William was a life long member of Rowsburg Lutheran Church of which he was a

former Sunday school superintendant and council member.  He was a 50 year

member and past president of the Rowsburg Lions Club.  William was a former

employee of 34 years at F.E. Myers.  He retired from the State of Ohio Department of

Transportation August 20, 1983.  William always had fond memories of playing

fastpitch softball on the Faultless team in 1938, 1939 and 1940.  After returning

from the service he played softball on the F.E. Myers team and also Rowsburg

Lutheran Church team.  He also enjoyed bowling and golfing.

Mr Gardner was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Mildred Roberts,

Arlene Welch, Margarite Freytag, and one brother Howard (Pete) Gardner.

Services will be 3:00 PM Saturday November 12, 2011 at Rowsburg Lutheran Church

with Pastor Steven Caler officiating.  Burial will be in Rowsburg Cemetery where

military honors will be conducted by Ashland Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 1:30 – 3:00 PM at the church on Saturday.

Memorial gifts to Hospice House 1050 Dauch Drive Ashland, OH 44805 or Rowsburg

Cemetary Association c/o Steve Humrichouser, 1541 CR 251, Jeromesville , OH

44866.

Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville assisted the family with arrangements.  Online

condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.