Willie James Gardner Jr. nicknamed SWEET CANDYMAN was granted his angel wings on April 1, 2017. He spent his last days surrounded by his loving wife(Ruby), his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Willie was born on October 10, 1930 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Clarice Ward and Willie James Gardner Sr. He later on moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he attended Harriet Beecher Stowe School. At the age of 21 he met Ruby Lee Denson whom he loved deeply and married on March 29, 1952. They had 7 beautiful blessings Ulysses(deceased), Larry(deceased), Pamela(deceased), Gwendolyn, Darlene, Sherry and Rodney. Willie and Ruby raised their family in Cumminsville from 1958 until 1971. In November of 1971 they moved to Mt. Healthy and bought a home where they stayed and raised their children and some of their grandchildren(Shauna, Shalonda, Shatan, Shavonee, and Shaevon). Willie was a construction worker for TURNER construction for forty years and retired in 1993. In 1980 he became a church member of Southern Baptist Church. He was the true definition of a hard worker his motto was "I don't stop when I'm tired I stop when I'm done"! Even though Willie was quiet everyone he came across grew to love him and always asked about him. Willie was also an union member of Laborers' Local 265 which he always participated in raffle sells, dances, and dinners. He enjoyed boxing, football, gardening, cooking, spending time with loved ones, taking trips to the casino with his wife and daughters', spoiling his pet dogs (he had so many I can't name them all), his soap operas (his favorite Young N The Restless). His biggest accomplishment was to be a provider for his family and his loving wife. Willie is survived by his wife of 65 years which they just celebrated their wedding anniversary on March 29, 2017, Ruby Lee Gardner; daughters' Gwendolyn, Darlene, and Sherry; and a son, Rodney; 19 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons' Ulysses and Larry Gardner; and a daughter Pamela Gardner. Traits of my Granddaddy that are the best of the best: Warm hearted Intelligent Leader Lovable Infallible Encouraging Jocose Accomplished Manly Efficient Skillful Giving Admired Responsible Dedicated Near to one's heart Earnest Reliable Granddaddy I will never forget all the things you showed me, told me, taught me, never settle and always work hard. I want to let you know I truly miss you and you will always be with me. I'm going to miss hearing your voice. You raised my siblings and I love you a million times for that! You sitting at the table in your favorite chair eating your favorite cereal Sugar Golden Crisp. I remember when we went to our family reunion and everyone was on the floor dancing and I was overly shy. I was 9 years old and you sat me on your lap and told me "Shauna it's alright I can't dance either so you made me feel so relieved to know that's where I got it from"! But I tell you this I been practicing for thirty plus years and I'm doing pretty well! It so funny that till this day I make my grits and eggs just the way you always made them for us when we were little. I always would bring you some sharp cheddar cheese and you'd be smacking saying "Shauna this some good cheese"! Well this isn't a goodbye I'll see you when I get there with you! Love you lots! Your granddaughter, Shauna Latella Gardner A friendly smile, a casual touch, these are things that mean so much.To know you are with us in our time of sorrow, sharing our prayers, today and tomorrow. God gives us the comfort in the form of good family and friends, may our (Husband, Father, Granddaddy, and Great-Granddaddy) peace be with you, your love never will end. Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Southern Baptist Church, 3556 Reading Road, Cincinnati (45229). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 3117 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. To share a memory of Willie or leave a special message for the Gardner family, please click the Share Button below. Walker Funeral Home of Cincinnati is serving the Gardner family.

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