Bill Gardiner

William Wesley Gardiner of Erie Beach passed away peacefully at the Chatham Kent Hospice on Sunday May 5, 2019. He was the son of Gladys (Drury) and the late Percy Gardiner.

Bill was 77 years old when he passed away, 60 of which were spent beside the love of his life Joyce (Locke) Gardiner. Following two years spent becoming best friends, Joyce and Bill were married on September 16, 1961. They became the proud parents of a son Drew Gardiner (Agnes) and a daughter Kelly (Mark Zolkowski). They also became the super proud grandparents of Aidan Gardiner, Konar Gardiner and Indy Zolkowski.

More than anything else in this world Bill loved his family. Beyond that, he loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Much of his time was spent with his buddies at the “Ponderosa” where lot of good history was written in the “Book of Wiarton”… tales of the great outdoors, long card games, close friends and cold beer… most of all, good memories to look back on when life turned a corner. Lake Erie was his backyard where he spent countless hours fishing, whether it be off a jetty, from his boat Rock Bottom, through a hole cut in the ice on the bay, fun fishing with Chuck or chartering with Butcher-Buoy.

For 53 years, Bill and Joyce have called Erie Beach home. They raised their children there, they made friends there and they appreciated everything that “The Beach” has to offer. In the summer it was hard not to notice the gardens that Bill tended to because they were perfect. He could always be counted on to help the summer residents prepare their homes for opening or to get repairs done before their arrival. A true handyman, he had a knack for restoring anything made of wood or metal to its original glory and his garage was a revolving door – everyone knew that it was the right place to go if they needed a tool or help finishing a project.

He retired after many years of working at Southwestern Regional Centre where he was well liked by all. For many years he would spend a week at a time with the boys there at Scout Camp. He was also a life member of the Rondeau Rod and Gun Club and mentored many girls and boys in the Gun Club Youth Program.

Early morning coffee gossip was a daily ritual which Bill enjoyed with Laird, Don, Ivan, and Scott, being served by Kim.

Bill will be missed by his sisters Donna Richardson (late Bruce), Ruth Francis (late Ron), his brother Wayne Gardiner, his sisters in law Cheryl Gardiner (late Jim), Sandra Gardiner (late Bob) and by Joyce’s brother Reg Locke and wife Mary. Bill was predeceased by his sister Darlene Gardiner.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rondeau Rod and Gun Club on Saturday June 1, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. His ashes will be divided between places that he loved most in life- the Poderosa, Lake Erie and with his soul mate Joyce. Friends wishing to remember Bill with a memorial donation are asked to consider Chatham-Kent Hospice.