William "Bill" Frederick Gardiner

Kaplan—Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Gueydan First United Methodist Church honoring the life of William “Bill” Frederick Gardiner, 66, a loving father, grandfather and adoring husband who left this earthly life Saturday, September 9, 2023.  He will be laid to rest at Gueydan Cemetery with Reverend Chyrelena Peyton officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Leblanc, James Saltzman, Allen Lemaire, Dr. Kerry Schexnaider, William Romero, Sammy Noel, Jerod Petry and Lonnie Breaux. Honorary Pallbearers will be William “Will” Gardiner, Dillan Gardiner, Dr. Alton “Buzz” Romero, Cale Lopez, John Gardiner, Jeff Zaunbrecher, and Butch Zaunbrecher.

Bill was married to Debora Gardiner for 39 wonderful years. They were true soulmates, perfectly made for one another. Their union of marriage was a blissful and beautiful testimony to everyone who saw them together. He cherished “Mama Cakes” as he fondly referred to his loving wife.

Bill was a man with many intellectual and physical gifts. He was never idle and can be described as a “doer” who could always be found working nonstop on home projects whether it was building, creating, or restoring. He was a master craftsman who could do anything with his skilled and talented hands and had an unwavering love of water. His children have many memories of sharing the open water with him and will forever remember the many fishing, diving and ski trips, especially watching him show off his slalom skills even at his age. Nicknamed “Wild Bill” since his college days, he was a combination of a true ‘Pirate’ and ‘Jimmy Buffet’ at heart. His passion for deep-sea fishing and diving was endless, and he never missed an opportunity to be out on the water.

Bill was a graduate of Crowley High School Class of 1975. He earned an Agriculture degree from USL in 1979 and his first passion was farming. He was employed with Acadian Ambulance and earned a second degree in nursing. His stellar nursing career of 29 plus years has been spent serving his community selflessly with utmost dedication. His employment with Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Hospital continued for over 21 years as a Registered Nurse in the emergency department. He was an integral part of a team who will miss his presence undoubtedly. He will be fondly remembered most for sitting in “Bill’s corner” and his love for corndogs and Sonic drinks. He touched more lives than we will ever know.

He was often viewed as a quiet soul, but his serious demeanor could fool you, and his one-liner jokes could crack up the room at any given moment. That quirky, dry, sometimes cheesy, sense of humor was only one of the many things that he was loved and will be remembered for. He lived life to the fullest and perhaps we can find solace knowing his good works are done here. “And if the fish no longer bite or seem no longer worth the fight, because it’s me that you are missin’, don’t worry-be glad-I’ve only gone fishin.” He is and will forever be missed.

His love and devotion to his family was evident in both his children and grandchildren. He leaves his gentle and kind legacy of love behind to his wife, Debora “Debbie” Zaunbrecher Gardiner; his son, Christopher Gardiner and wife, Tracie (Erath); his daughter, Abigail Gardiner (Lafayette); three grandchildren, Emma, William and Dillan who absolutely adored their “Paw”; and his sister, Helen Logan Breaux and husband, Gerald Breaux of Lafayette. We would be remiss not to mention his furry best friend, Oliver.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Walter Gardiner; his mother, Helen Decker Gardiner; and his brother, James Walter “Bo” Gardiner.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 1:30 PM.