Dr. William H (Bill) Gardner

Dr. William H. (Bill) Gardner, age 93, retired Knoxville Obstetrician-Gynecologist, died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. He was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude (Trudy) Ewell Gardner, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gardner, and his brother, Marcus Hall Gardner. Dr. Gardner was born May 8, 1923 in Tellico Plains, Monroe County, Tennessee. He graduated from Tellico Plains High School and maintained a close connection with Tellico throughout his life, visiting often to check on childhood friends and managing the family farm in Tellico. He also actively supported the Tellico Methodist Church including donating the stained-glass windows in memory of his parents. In recent years, he established a family foundation to contribute to the civic and religious life of the town. His support of the Tellico community followed his father’s public service as Mayor and Justice of the Peace and his mother’s service as Postmaster of Tellico Plains. Dr. Gardner attended East Tennessee State University and U.T. Knoxville, then graduated with an M.D. from the University of Tennessee Medical School at Memphis in 1946. While in medical school, he was elected President of his class and served in the Army Air Forces. In 1948, Dr. Gardner married Trudy Ewell at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Knoxville where he was member for nearly 70 years. They enjoyed a loving, devoted marriage for the next 67 years, until her death in October 2015. They had four children. Dr. Gardner started his medical career as a general practitioner in Tazewell, Tennessee. He then completed an internship in OB-GYN at the John Gaston Hospital in Memphis. During the Korean Conflict, he was called back into the service, as an Air Force Captain, first on the air base in Smyrna, Tennessee and then at the Air Force Hospital at Wiesbaden, Germany, where he provided OB-GYN care. When he returned, he completed a residency in OB-GYN at the John Gaston. Starting in the Knoxville Medical Arts Building with Dr. Perry Williamson and later with Dr. Albert Diddle, Dr. Gardner delivered over 10,000 babies during his career as an obstetrician. He was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and Chairman of the District VII ACOG Meeting in 1985. Dr. Gardner served as Chief of Staff of Ft. Sanders Hospital 1969-70, President of the Tennessee State Obstetrics and Gynecology Society 1971-72, and President of Cherokee Country Club 1978-80. Dr. Gardner and his wife, Trudy, enjoyed traveling together to over 40 countries including many in Europe and Asia. He especially enjoyed traveling to New York and New Orleans where he spent time listening to his favorite music, jazz, and talking to musicians. Dr. Gardner expressed great pride in his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his four children: Mary Ayres Gardner (Bill Cobb), Atlanta; Dr. William Henry Gardner, Jr. (Rose-Ann McKernan), Albuquerque, NM; Lisa Gardner Harris (Ben), Atlanta; and Catherine Hall Gardner (John Lindsey), Marietta, GA. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Jake Cobb (Qianqian Wang), Atlanta; Mary Elizabeth Cobb, Oakland, CA; Will Gardner, Huntsville, AL; Catherine Harris, Atlanta; and Patricia Harris, Charlotte, NC. The family is profoundly grateful to those who cared for Dr. Gardner during his last years. He spoke often of his gratitude for the care they provided him and his wife, Trudy. The funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 23 starting with a private graveside service for family at 2 p.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery which will be followed by a Celebration of Life service at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. John’s Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902 or to the Tellico Plains Methodist Church, 215 Southard Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Dr. William H (Bill) Gardner

May 8, 1923 - March 18, 2017