William "Bill" D. Gardner

William “Bill” D. Gardner, age 85, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Bill, the son of Milton and Kathleen Gardner was born on June 20, 1941, in Ocala, Fl.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Milton Gardner, Jr.; brother-in-law, Charles S. Williams; sister-in-law, Diana Bryan Hoopes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Susan Bryan Gardner; daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Jeff Davis of Dalton; son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Ashley Gardner of Fayetteville; grandsons, Dylan and Drew Davis of Dalton and Jaxon and Sawyer Gardner of Fayetteville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Melvin Kinslow of Americus and Dot and Bill Jordan of Rome; sister-in-law, Nancy Gardner of Thomasville; brother-in-law, Al Hoopes of Canton, TX; many nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Americus High School and served as president of his senior class. He graduated from Stetson University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and president of Men’s Executive Counsel.

Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator. He served in southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Navy Air Medal.

Bill began teaching in 1968 in Jacksonville, Fl. He received his master’s degree from the University of Florida in 1970 and his doctorate in educational leadership in 1974. He subsequentially served 20 years as superintendent of schools in Okeechobee, FL and Baldwin and Doughtery counties in Georgia. While superintendent of schools in Doughtery County he served as the Southwest Georgia United Way campaign chairman, and on the board of directors for Albany Rotary Club, Salvation Army, Red Cross and the Albany Art Museum. While in Baldwin County he served as president of the Milledgeville Kiwanis Club.

He and Susan frequently traveled overseas during their retirement. In addition to traveling Bill enjoyed golf, hiking, reading and taking care of his yard, which he and Susan turned into a beautiful garden.

Bill had an outgoing personality and cared deeply about the feelings of others and particularly about the wellbeing of his family.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Dalton. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the Atrium of the church from 1 until 3 PM.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Dalton, First Foundation, 311 N. Thornton Ave. Dalton, GA 30720.

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