Billy Thomas Gardner, 92, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at the Ottawa County Health Center. He was born August 17, 1922 near Minneapolis.

He resided on the family farm near Minneapolis except when he served in World War II from 1944-45. He was with the 6th Armored Division at the Battle of the Bulge and experienced heavy combat from Bastogne, Belgium to the interior of Germany.

Billy was a farmer-stockman all of his life and was honored in 1973 with the Bankers' Award for the Ottawa County Conservation District.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, his parents Lewis and Edna Gardner, and a sister, Helen Danielson, of Junction City.

He is survived by one nephew, Bob Danielson, of Richardson, Texas, and two nieces, Sharon Roedel and Karen Marston, of Littleton, Colorado. He is also survived by seven great nieces and nephews and many great, great nieces and nephews.

Services will be Monday, November 3 at 10:00 A.M. at the Wilson Family Funeral Home in Minneapolis. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 2 from 4:30 to 6:00 at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association and the American Cancer Society.