Kittery, ME – William (Bill) E. Gardner, 95, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2021. He was born January 25, 1926, in Portsmouth, NH to Leslie Hayes and Ida Mae (Cammett) Gardner. Bill was one of 11 children in the Gardner family.

He joined the Navy during WWII in 1944, where he served for 3 years. He met his soon to be wife, Betty Jo, in Washington DC, they wed shortly after in 1948. Bill soon after was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a pipe fitter. He took his family out to CA for 1.5 years where he worked out there, but soon after realized he missed New England. Bill came back to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he would retire after 33 years. He lived in Eliot on the water for over 50 years, later buying a house in Kittery where he and his wife have resided for the last 15 years.

Bill was very determined, and in the late 1990's, he earned his GED from Marshwood Highschool. He was also very active in the American Legion Post 6 in Portsmouth, NH as well the VFW Post 168 in Portsmouth, NH. Bill was known around those establishments for his incredible pool skills.

Bill is predeceased by both of his parents and his 10 siblings.

He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Betty Jo, their son Morgan W. Gardner, as well as many nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Services: A memorial service will be held at the American Legion Post 6 at 2PM on Friday, August 13, 2021, located at 96 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH, 03801.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . Care for the Gardner family has been entrusted to the J S Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.