William Herbert Gardner Jr., 51, of Lame Deer, MT passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2013. Willie Jr. was known as Billy to his close friends and family. Billy left us too soon as he was unexpectedly called home on Christmas Day.
William was born in Crow Agency, MT on December 3, 1962, a son of William Sr, and Evelyn Gardner. He was a high school graduate of St. Labre Indian School and graduated from Dull Knife College with an A.A. degree.
William had two Cheyenne names: Little Hawk and Whistling Arrow. William (Billy) excelled in sports but his favorite sport was playing basketball. He made 1st team All State in High School when he played for the St. Labre Braves. He later went on to attend Eastern Montana College on a football and basketball scholarship. He also played for Dull Knife College and played in numerous basketball tournaments. He worked as a Wild land Fire fighter and most recently worked in construction for Canadian and Cathedral Homes in Billings, Montana.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and working outdoors. Billy was known amongst family members as having extraordinary physical strength. He loved working on the family ranch helping his parents with their cattle and horses. He had a quiet sense of humor and always had a smile for his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family especially his parents as he spent most of his time with them and enjoyed driving them all over the country. We will miss our son, brother uncle, grandfather and friend.
William is survived by his father and mother, William Sr. and Evelyn of Lame Deer, MT, his brothers Stuart (Tanya) Gardner of Lame Deer, Troy Gardner of Lame Deer, Warren (Lydia) WolfBlack from Pablo, MT whom he took as his brother, and his sisters, Wilma (Albert Jr.) LaRance of Billings, MT, Ingrid Gardner and Lucy Gardner of Tularosa, NM. His nieces and nephews, Ben Bighorn, Loren (Allison) Bighorn, Jr., Jerae and Elishah LaRance, Isaac, Isaiah, Samson, Micah and Michala Gardner and Kirk Hill. Also his grandchildren Hayden, Madison, Nashon, Keoni and Ben Bighorn Jr. and his special friends, James (Sharon) Haugen of Lame Deer, Monty and Byron Larson from Washington, Woodrow Wolfblack of Lame Deer, and Jerry Fozzard of Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Ava, Delores, and Philomena Gardner and Agatha Stanton.
Traditional Wake will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Gardner Family Cemetery in Lame Deer. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Sunday December 29, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday December 30, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Interment
Following Services
Monday December 30, 2013
Gardner Family Plot
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Monday December 30, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Sunday December 29, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday December 30, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Interment
Following Services
Monday December 30, 2013
Gardner Family Plot
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Monday December 30, 2013
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
600 Cheyenne Ave
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Share
George Birtic says
My heartful condolences go out to the family. Very saddened to hear of this loss. William was a very very good person. I will never forget him. He represented the very best of the Cheyenne……May our memory of him be eternal……
Danetta Fisher says
I am saddened to hear of Willy’s passing. My prayers are with you all.
Debra Moore says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our love and prayers are with all of the family during this sad time.
Ramona Morrison says
Please extend my condolences to the family. I am very sad to learn of Willy’s death.
Lynn & Roberta Harris says
May the Lord’s glorious love and peace shine upon the Gardner family at this time of their passing of their love one, Willy, into heaven!! He will be missed; what a day it will be when all of God’s children will be reunited – no more tears, no pain, no more sadness. I love you – the Gardner family! The giants in the spirit! God be with you all!
Pat Olson says
My deepest sympathy for the loss of bill. May all of the memories of him bring you peace.My prayers our with all the family’s GOD be with you.
Joyce Three fingers says
So sorry to hear of your loss, my condolences to your family . I seen him walking, a big giant with a gently soul.
Gail Lander says
God bless your family and give you the good memories of the blessed time Billy was with you. The day is soon to come when we will all be together and with our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep Billy in your heart and love each other thru the sad time of your loss. Praying for peace and many blessings for the entire family. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of William Herbert Gardner Jr. – Please be comforted by great memories and recalling the many talents of Mr. Gardner. The Bible book of Hebrews reminds that God does not forget all of the fine works of his servant (Hebrews 6:10). It was not the Creator’s original purpose that mankind suffer and die. At creation, God was able to say that everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31) without defect. Death was introduced through Adam’s disobedience. (Romans 5: 12). We are promised a time when no one will be sick (Isaiah 33:24). The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God originally intended for mankind in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled including God’s “will being done as in Heaven also up on Earth “(Matthew 6:9, 10). I hope you are comforted by the many promises in the Bible that give us hope (John 17:3).
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
My sincere sympathy to all of your family. I pray that God will give you strength during this difficult time. It is comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again. Your family will be in my prayers.
Mary and Jolyn Dillon
Melissa Whitewolf Royston & Family says
Sorry to hear about Willy’s passing. God Bless.
Elmore Limberhand III says
Hey Big Will, I”ll never forget our younger years, I’ll see you again, you were always the best!!!!
Donna Wick Brien says
I am so sorry for your loss, Willie was a good person, I remember basketball games in High School they were the best…We would all scrabble to help the boys with home work so they could play…He was a quiet gentle giant, who always had a smile on his face.
God Bless.
Tiffany Eagle says
Sorry for you loss its hard to loose someone on holidays…Sending prayers your way to the Gardner family!! 🙁
Esther Littlewolf says
William and Evelyn, and family! Willie was a kind and gentle man, who made it important to take of and be close to you! I am so sorry for your loss of a great son, brother, uncle and nephew! Ma’heo be with you the next following few months. I will continue yo pray for you, will find you so we can visit! My sincere sympathy!
Willow says
To: William & Evelyn & Family
“May the lord bring you peace and comfort to you… and condolence”
GOD BLESS!