NATCHEZ — Funeral services for William S. “Bill” Gardner Sr., 87, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at 11 a.m. today at Jefferson St. United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Kramer officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service Friday at the church.

Mr. Gardner was born July 29, 1926, in Greenwood, the son of James Henry and Ethel Petersen Gardner. He was a member of Jefferson St. United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and boards. He was in the automobile business in Natchez for 53 years. He was a former president of the Natchez Lions Club and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Jeannine “Jinx” Gardner.

Survivors include two sons; William S. Gardner Jr., and wife Nora of Mobile, and R. Donald Gardner and wife Cindy of Dallas, Ga; one daughter, Carla G. Holland and husband Daryl of Natchez; four grandchildren, Sara Beth Spillers and husband Luke of Natchez, Jeffrey Gardner of Atlanta, Erica Shannon and husband Nathan of Pearl and Joanna Holland of Hattiesburg; and five great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jim Crawford, Bubba Byrd, Luke Spillers, Kent Hudson, Mike Pevey and Bob Bowles.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Stubbs, the nursing staff at Natchez Regional Medical Center and Deaconess Hospice for their compassionate and professional care.

Memorials may be made to Jefferson St. United Methodist Church or to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.