Obituary of Billy Lee Gardner

Billy Lee Gardner, age 87, of Osage Beach, Missouri, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage Beach. Billy was born November 23, 1929 in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the son of Norman and Cleo (Long) Gardner. Billy served his country proudly in the United States Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Billy was united in marriage November 27, 1948 to Jessie Crews and together they shared over 67 years of marriage. Billy worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital before retirement. He enjoyed reading, in particular, the Bible , which he had read through numerous times. Billy attended church at Bethel Chapel Pentecostal Church in Granite City where he was involved with Jail Ministry and sang in the choir. He was a man who truly loved his Lord, and his family. Billy is survived by his daughters; Sheila Sisson and husband Gary of O'Fallon, and Rebecca Zimmerly and husband, Daniel, of Osage Beach, Missouri; brother Norman and wife, Dorothy, of Granite City, Illinois; three sisters , Norma Campbell of Granite City, Illinois, Mary Jane Shelton and husband Lloyd of Belleville, Illinois and Donna Morris and husband Robert of Osage Beach, Missouri; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends. Billy was preceded in death by his wife, Jessie; his parents, Norman and Cleo Gardner; and two sisters; Eloise Tegal and Nina Shelton. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Iberia, Missouri. Graveside Services and Interment with full Military Honors will be Tuesday, February 21, at 1:00 pm at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Edwardsville, Ill. Memorial donations are suggested to Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Iberia, Missouri.