William James Gardner III, MD

William James Gardner III M.D., loving family man and physician, died in Ilwaco on May 18, 2012 at the age of 84 as he was born into Eternal Life. Dr. Gardner devoted his wonderful life to his family and to his patients. He cherished his beautiful wife Mary and children. The spirit behind his twinkling eyes, handsome smile and beautiful heart will truly be missed. Dr. Gardner lived his life with moral integrity and gracefulness, always. Dr. Gardner was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 3, 1927. He graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 1945 and then proudly served his country as a Marine under Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller. He then graduated with his B.A. from Washington and Lee University. He attended Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania and did his fellowship in the college of surgeons. He was a delegate to the American Medical Association, president of the Utah State Medical Society and president of the Ogden, Utah surgical society. Dr. Gardner was chief of surgery at McKay-Dee Hospital Center in Ogden, Utah and was in charge of the surgical residency program through the University of Utah. He always remembered and honored his dedicated staff, especially Mildred Dunn, R.N. He and his wife Mary relocated to Ocean Park, Washington in 1994 where he became chief of surgery at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, Washington. His love and expertise as a surgeon allowed him to implement an environment of best patient care and serve the community that he so loved. When time allowed you could find him on a stream camping and fly fishing with his family and his faithful dog, Midge. He was an avid cross country skier, downhill skier and outdoorsman. Whenever there was a quiet moment, he was passionately reading the latest surgical journals regarding the newest research. At the age of 72, he retired, and then became interested in computer technology, gardening, reading about history and politics, watching college football, mowing the lawn for hours on his riding lawn mower and above all spending time with his loving wife. Preceded in death by his parents Dr. William James Gardner II, Edith Kay Moore and stepmother Annie Gardner, and sister June Vahlsing, he is survived by his wife Mary Gardner of the family home in Ocean Park, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephew, step-brother and other family. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate his life. Dr. Gardner's request for any donations be made to the South Pacific County Humane Society, due to his love of animals. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.