Bill was born on his grandfather Lee's farm and was the second son of John Martin Gardner and Lela Bell Lee [Whitmire] Gardner. Bill went to work farming when he was 11 years old. Bill served in World War II in the US Marine Corps, TSGT. When he was 16 years old, he rode a freight train and worked in a carnival, later worked as a farmer with his dad and brothers, had a gospel/country music band with his wife, Lillian and they traveled around New Mexico and Arizona singing. He also worked in law enforcement and was the sheriff of Magdalena, New Mexico in abt 1987. He had five brothers and six sisters. Bill was married five times, Opal Blankenship, Vilda Keeler "Billie McNair, Nell Titsworth Teplecek, Lillian Loretha Snowder and Marilyn Burke. He is survived by his children, Billie Rae Hart, Jack Oliver Ledbetter and John Floyd Gardner and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vina Louise Maglio.
Bill was born on his grandfather Lee's farm and was the second son of John Martin Gardner and Lela Bell Lee [Whitmire] Gardner. Bill went to work farming when he was 11 years old. Bill served in World War II in the US Marine Corps, TSGT. When he was 16 years old, he rode a freight train and worked in a carnival, later worked as a farmer with his dad and brothers, had a gospel/country music band with his wife, Lillian and they traveled around New Mexico and Arizona singing. He also worked in law enforcement and was the sheriff of Magdalena, New Mexico in abt 1987. He had five brothers and six sisters. Bill was married five times, Opal Blankenship, Vilda Keeler "Billie McNair, Nell Titsworth Teplecek, Lillian Loretha Snowder and Marilyn Burke. He is survived by his children, Billie Rae Hart, Jack Oliver Ledbetter and John Floyd Gardner and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vina Louise Maglio.
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