William John Gardner
June 8, 1933-March 18, 2021
Portola Valley, CA

William John Gardner of Portola Valley passed away peacefully surrounded by family. John born in Oakland to William John and Lois M. Gardner, grew up in Piedmont and attended Piedmont High School where he played basketball and maintained lifelong friendships with teammates and coach.

John graduated from Stanford University in 1955 then served as a lieutenant in the Navy. He returned to Stanford to earn an MBA in 1959 and worked as a utility consultant for Tilden Engineering for over fifty years.

John married Eleanor Tilden in 1958. They lived in Palo Alto for 10 years before settling in Portola Valley with their three children. Devoted to his kids, he served on the Alpine Little League Board, coached and refereed AYSO soccer and acted as den leader for the Cub Scouts. John volunteered for Portola Valley’s Emergency Preparedness and Traffic and Safety committees and the Woodside Fire Board. He was an active member and volunteer at Christ Church Portola Valley.

John is survived by his wife Ellie of Portola Valley, son Scott and his wife Ann Marie and daughter Samantha of Greenbrae, son Mark of Portola Valley and daughter Lynn Holthaus and husband Randy and three sons Wesley, William and John of Portola Valley.

Donations on his behalf can be made to Alzheimer’s Association - act.alz.org or Christ Church Portola Valley - ccpvw.org.

Tags: veteran, business