Palmyra Review

Gardiner, William E.

Palmyra: Entered into rest July 23, 2008 in his 72nd year. Survived by his wife Phyllis of 34 years; sister Jane (Gerald) Clement; brother-in-law Edward Weit; aunts Beryl Bushart and Dorothy Gardiner; mother-in-law Ida Cenname; brother-in-law Guy G (Joann) Cenname; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mighty St Joe’s Drum Corp was William’s 2nd family. William was a Marine Veteran of the Korean War.

His Memorial Service was held at 1:30PM Saturday September 13th at PAYNE & MURPHY FUNERAL HOME 1040 Rt. 31, Macedon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to William’s family.

A large contingency of MSJ members were in attendance for the memorial service for “Big” Bill. The corps did a wonderful job playing the “Chorale” and “Amazing Grace”. Donny and Brad performed “Taps” at the funeral home as a last tribute to Bill’s life and his military career. Phyllis, Bill’s wife, was especially grateful and personally thanked many of those in attendance.

From there the corps headed to the village of Palmyra to march in the Canal Town Days Parade in Bill’s honor. We fought off the rain most of the day with a drizzle here and there getting us just wet enough for it to be uncomfortable. It was a fun but grueling parade for most everyone. Donny & Mike D. got things started with some dueling soprano solos and a few of the other horn players jumped in adding their tributes to all of our military branches. At one point I had to hold Donny back from Kathy K. after she referred to him as ‘Dave’. I thought it was going to get a bit ugly there for a few minutes…….LOL. Some of us ran into Phyllis again on Main St. after the parade and she told us she almost missed us in the parade, but was able to get down to the reviewing stand just before we passed by. She again expressed her gratitude to the corps for being there in Bill’s memory on this very special day. After a short stop at the Legion for a bite to eat and a cocktail on ‘Big’ Bill, a few of us managed to catch a ride back to the fair grounds where we had parked on the old train truck you see at many of the local parades. I think this rugged, old vehicle is affiliated with the Manchester F.D. Please correct me if I’m wrong. One thing I’m certain of, the guys running this rig were having way too much fun.

Let me say at this point “Thanks, Bill Gardiner, from everyone that’s been part of MSJ for everything you have done in help making this corps a success. You will be sadly missed.”

Renovo

Again I’d like to remind everyone about our upcoming parade in Renovo on October 11th. We are encouraging everyone to ride the bus as an old-time drum corps get-together and to celebrate the end of the 2008 season and the beginning of the 2009. It should be lots of fun spending the day with friends and family of MSJ. We look forward to a great turn-out and hopefully great weather. No snow storms this year, here or there.

See you all soon!

Bob
PR/MSJ
 

bobwielgosz@gmail.com