William Emmett Gardner passed away peacefully at his home in The Woodlands, Texas, on September 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. The family will accept friends at Turners Funeral Home in Luverne, Alabama on Friday, September 11th, from 1 to 3 PM.

William was born May 22, 1939, as the oldest son of T.E. and Willie Mae Killough Gardner in Honoraville, Alabama. He grew up on his family farm and loved farm life and tractors.

William developed a love of restoring old tractors and classic cars, a hobby he enjoyed throughout his lifetime. You could count on him displaying his tractors in the Christmas parade annually in Texas.

William met his bride, Linda Ann Welch, at her family store in Crenshaw County, Alabama. He impressed his future mother-in-law, "Miss Helen," by visiting with her in the family store and offering to embrace all of her daughters-Linda Ann and her sisters, Cheryl and Gina-by taking all her girls on a date in his bright red 1955 Ford. He was soon to be married to Linda Ann, "the love of his life," for 64 wonderful years.

William developed his love of flying from his father-in-law, Bobby Ray Welch, and became a private pilot himself. He flew his planes until recent years.

William had a wonderful personality and never met a stranger. He would entertain his friends at the airport, his red barn, or in his den playing a friendly game of pool. He always showed great kindness to everyone, friends and family alike. He enjoyed life.

William cherished his siblings, parents, and maternal Granny while growing up in Honoraville, Alabama. You could see the gleam in his eyes when he returned every year for vacations and holidays to visit his childhood home.

William began his career driving a gas truck in Montgomery, Alabama, for Shell Oil and retired in 2001 in Houston, Texas, after climbing the corporate ladder as an executive in accounting at Shell Oil.

He inspired his twin daughters, as they both followed in his footsteps to become a CPA and a tax attorney at Shell Oil. William was a very proud and loving Dad.

After retirement, you could find him working on tractors and cars or at the airport flying his plane with his wife, Linda Ann.

William spent many years riding his only grandchild, Brayden, around Houston, enjoying time spent with his Paw Paw.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Linda Ann Welch Gardner; daughters, Holley Harrington (Tom) of The Woodlands, Texas, and Heather Benedict (Chad) of The Woodlands, Texas; grandson, Brayden Harrington of The Woodlands, Texas; sisters, Joyce Hughes of Troy, Alabama, and Lorraine Brooks of Troy, Alabama; brother, Mike Gardner (Laura Lynn) of Blakely, Georgia; sister-in-law, Jennifer "Gina" Welch Owens of Birmingham, Alabama; nephews, Chase Carlisle of Luverne, Alabama, and Patrick Owens of Birmingham, Alabama; and many other nephews and nieces who loved "Uncle Bill."

He was predeceased by his parents, T.E. and Willie Mae Killough Gardner, and his beloved brother, Jimmy Gardner.

He will be buried in the Holley Family Cemetery at Mt. Pleasant Church by his mother-in-law, Helen Holley Welch. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Active pallbearers will be Chase Carlisle, Patrick Owens, Channing Gardner, David Gardner, Little William Gardner, and Matt Hughes.

William was a member of Grace Point Fellowship in The Woodlands and a devoted Christian who loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Well done, good and faithful servant.