William J. Gardiner

William J. Gardiner, 83, of Saint Simons Island, GA, passed away on February 10, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Martha Kate (Presley) Gardiner.

Born in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Lucius M. Gardiner and Rita K. (Volkman) Gardiner.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military service, Bill and his family moved to California, where he completed his college studies and began a career in sales. Later in life, he met his wife, Kate, and together they opened their restaurant, Martha’s, in Georgia, where he shared his love of cooking with the community.

Bill’s career path eventually led him into construction, but throughout his life he remained driven by curiosity, connection, and a love of new experiences. He found great joy sailing, including chartering catamarans in the Caribbean, and often reminisced about his memorable sailing journey from Georgia to Rhode Island with his grandson. He also loved traveling—especially to Italy. He and Kate ultimately settled in Saint Simons Island, a place they considered their paradise.

There, Bill built lasting friendships and embraced an active and social life. He enjoyed time with friends at wine club, playing pickleball, and attending shows by Jesse Rice. In his retirement years, he loved traveling in his motorhome and spending summers in Rhode Island with his daughter and grandchildren. He also cherished his trips to Nova Scotia with his stepdaughter.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Karen M. Briggs and her husband John of Exeter. He was predeceased by his sons, William J. Gardiner, Jr. and Craig A. Gardiner, and his stepdaughter, Julie R. Turner.

He was a cherished grandfather to Nicholas B. Gardiner of Georgia; Jamie Cordo and her husband Anthony of Rhode Island; Britni Johnson and her husband Shane of Georgia; and Courtney Daglieri and her husband Joel of Rhode Island. He was also a proud great-grandfather to Harper M. Gardiner, Avery P. Johnson, and James B. Johnson of Georgia; Stella J. Cordo, Lucas A. Daglieri, and Molly A. Daglieri of Rhode Island.

He is also survived by his siblings, Nancy Canestrari and her husband Alan of Barrington, and Jack Gardiner of San Francisco, CA.

Bill will always be remembered for his deep love of family and friends, his adventurous spirit, and the many memories he created with those he held dear.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford, 140 West Main Street, Wickford Village, North Kingstown. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

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