Bill Pearl Gardenhire

Billy Pearl Gardenhire was born April 9, 1928 in Lakeview, Hall County, Texas to Willie Lee Gardenhire and Mary Lee Jenkins. He quietly left this world on March 2, 2015 just a month short of his 87th birthday. He is now absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Bill grew up in and around Memphis, Texas where he finished the eighth grade. Several years later he got his GED. He married the love of his life, Frances Wilma Sheen in June 1946. They began their married life in Memphis where he eventually went to work for the Rural Electric Association. But, Bill was born with itchy feet. His employment with the REA gave him the opportunity to travel. With the company he traveled all over north Texas, southern Oklahoma and New Mexico building electric lines for people in rural communities, farms, and ranches. He built a reputation as a talented electrician and instrument specialist often serving as supervisor of a crew. The family traveled from Texas to Minnesota while he worked in plant construction. The family moved to Odessa in 1960 where Bill worked at El Paso products and General Tire before Bill retired. In 1962, he and Frances bought property in Gardendale where he resided until his death. He was an original property owner in Gardendale. In 1972, he accepted the Lord as his savior and was proud to share his testimony with everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Mary Gardenhire; his sister, Vesta Ruby McNeil; a brother, Carrol Lee Gardenhire; and son, Darrell Keith Gardendhire.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharyn Carrigan and husband Mike of Gardendale, TX; a son, Gary Dwight (Gordy) and his wife Cheryl of Blackwell, TX; his brother, Andy Gardenhire and wife Patricia of Memphis, TX; his brother-in-law, Howard McNeil of Missouri. He is also survived by (7) grandchildren, (17) great-grandchildren and (2) great-great-grandchildren, also an assortment of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Our thanks to the administrators and staff of Madison Medical Resort for the care that they provided for him.

A visitation with family and friends will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, March 6 at Northside Baptist Church with Rev. Clydel Chapman officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 7, at the Fairview Cemetery in Memphis, TX with his son-in-law, Mike Carrigan officiating.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.