William "Bill" Gardner

William "Bill" Hunter Gardner, II, 85, of Fletcher, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at the Elizabeth House. Born in Yancey Co. to the late William and Mattie Hudgins Gardner, Mr. Gardner was a training officer with the Asheville Fire Department for 30 years before retiring in 1987. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Gardner is survived by his sons, Vince Gardner, of Fletcher, and William "Billy" H. Gardner, III, and wife Mary Ellen, of Fairview; and sister, Alice Blalock, of Hendersonville. A funeral service for Mr. Gardner will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery Chapel with the Rev. Bobby Smith officiating. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting the family.