William Charles Gardner Jr

William (Bill) Charles Gardner, 66, of Deer Park, TX passed away at 3:03 AM, Friday, October 4, 2013 at The Veterans Affairs Palliative Care Center in Houston, Texas. He was born December 25, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri, to William C. Gardner and Mary L. Lawson. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Mary K. Gardner of Deer Park, Tx. Also surviving are his three children William W. Gardner, Vincent M. Gardner, and Carrie L Gardner-Padilla. Eight grandchildren, Jessica L Gardner, William M. Gardner, Richard V. Gardner, Mary K. Gardner, Raighney R. Padilla, Megan G. Gardner, Deborah L. Hernandez and Zoe G. Hernandez; two great grandchildren, Alexander Miller and Daisy Gardner; two Daughter-in-law's, Stephanie L. Gardner and Brandi M. Gardner and additional family members, his mother Mary L. Mollas, and his sisters and brothers. Bill's father William C. Gardner and Step-Father George Mollas preceded him in death. Bill was a fighter; he never gave up and he never stopped fighting since originally diagnosed with cancer in 1994. Over the last 19, he was diagnosed with cancer three separate times. However, never lost sight of what was important in his life, which were his family and his passion of the "dog track". Bill was a Gulf Greyhound enthusiast, and for many years, he enjoyed his free time at the "dog track" that was his happy place, has he would say. Above all it was his family that he cherished and provided him the strength to make it through these last 19 years while battling cancer.

The day of Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Visitation will begin at 11am-1pm, then Memorial Service from 1pm to 2:30pm, then another Visitation from 2:30pm-6pm at the Del Angel Funeral Home located at 901 Main Pasadena, TX 77506.