William Paul "Billy" Gardner, Jr., age 79 of Lebanon, passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 at Spring View Hospital.  He was born June 19, 1942 in Saint Francis.  He operated Gardner's 68 Auto Parts for 58 years with his brother Marvin.  He was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.  He served in the KY National Guard.  He enjoyed hunting, sports and reading.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Hutchins Gardner (May 13, 2007); his parents, Paul and Elsie Miles Gardner; two sisters, Betty Luckett and infant Dorothy Louise Gardner; four brothers, Edward Gardner, Mike Gardner and infants David and Ronald Gardner; one grandson, Anthony Gootee; one great-grandson, Bennett Clark.

Survivors include four daughters, Lou Ann Gootee (Johnny) of Lebanon, Fran Hamilton (Chuck) of Lebanon, Jan Gootee (Tony) of Loretto and Joan Mattingly (Eddie) of Loretto; one son, Paul Gardner (Jennifer) of Lebanon; five sisters, Ann Nichols (Marion), Theresa Detherage, Nancy Ballard (Kenny) all of Loretto, Carolyn May (Andy) and Suzanne Holt (Terry) all of Jacksonville, Florida; five brothers, Marvin Gardner (Betty) of Saint Mary's, Bob, Gerald, Randy and Ray Gardner (Judy) all of Loretto, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6785 Highway 52, Loretto.  Rev. Richard Goodin will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Saint Francis of Assisi Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation is 3-8 pm Monday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 pm by Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant.  The prayer service and funeral will be livestreamed onto the Mattingly Funeral Home facebook page.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Kevin Gootee, Bryan Gootee, Brad Gootee, Trey Hamilton, Marty Gootee, Kyle Gootee and Ryan Mattingly; Honorary Pallbearers are granddaughters, Rachel Gootee, Abby Klockmann, Gabrielle Hamilton, Amelia Clark and Samantha Thompson.