William Lee Garner III

1934 - 2025

William Lee Garner, Ill, 91, of Memphis, Tennessee, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 3, 2025. Born April 9, 1934, Bill lived a life marked by resilience, faith, and an enduring love for family and the game of golf.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, William L. Garner, Jr.; his mother, Cecil A. Garner; his brother, Arthur B. Garner; his beloved wife of 36 years, Gwendy Britt Garner; and his son, William L. Garner, IV.

He leaves behind his cherished wife of 32 years, Ann Stuart Garner; sons Russ Garner (Jenny) and Jeff Garner (Nancy); daughter-in-law Elizabeth Garner; and stepsons Bryan Hornsby (Gena) and Stuart Hornsby (Alayna). Bill's legacy continues through his 16 grandchildren: Megan Gregory (Jeremy), Becky Dedeau (Josh), Will Garner, Kelly Johnson (Joe), Rachael Hankins (Luke), Jamie Laguarta (Julio), Russell Garner (Heather), Jessica Olin (Ryan), Justin Garner (Jules), Andrew Hornsby, Carson Hornsby (Olivia), Meredith Anne Hornsby, Victoria Hornsby, John Hornsby, William Hornsby, and Kathryn Hornsby, as well as 22 great-grandchildren who brought him great joy.

Bill's life was shaped by both success and tragedy. At just 16, he faced the loss of his father and younger brother in a car accident that also seriously injured his mother. Though raised in the church, it was a near-fatal accident on Arkansas' Norfork River around 1970 that transformed his faith, leading him to surrender his life fully to Jesus Christ.

A gifted athlete from childhood, Bill excelled in golf, basketball, and football at Central High School, earning a football scholarship to Vanderbilt University. After a knee injury, he transferred to Memphis State University, where he played on the golf team and graduated with a degree in accounting in 1957. Introduced to golf at age seven by his father, Bill found a mentor in Earl Dykema at Cherokee Golf Course, where he began working at age 13.

Following college, Bill served his country in the Air Force, completing Navigation School at Harlingen AFB in Texas where he and Gwendy started their family. He served six years with the Strategic Air Command as a navigator on refueling aircraft and achieved the rank of Captain. During his service he won the 1962 National Air Defense Command Golf Championship.

After returning to Memphis in 1963, Bill soon took control of golf operations at Windyke Country Club which had been developed one year earlier by Mr. Dykema. This initial position in 1965 began an exceptional career that would span decades. He joined the PGA in 1968 and served as President of the Tennessee PGA in 1972. His contributions to the sport earned him numerous honors: Tennessee PGA Professional of the Year {1970, 1981), the Horton Smith Award for Education {1973, 1977), Tennessee Outstanding Career Award, Spook Murphy Business Achievement Award, and induction into both the University of Memphis Hall of Fame (2002) and the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame (2024). He became general manager of Windyke in 1973, president in 1981, and purchased the club outright in 1991, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Bill loved the game of golf-its discipline, its honor in calling violations on yourself, the camaraderie and competition, and its unwavering clarity: "either the ball is in the hole or it's not" as he would say.

A devoted member of Second Presbyterian Church, Bill was active in the Jeb Russell Class and AMEN Bible study, participated in the Masters Luncheons, and served on the Memphis Union Mission Board of Directors. He also enjoyed serving as a driver for the American Cancer Society. Bill cherished time outdoors, particularly fishing for smallmouth bass in the rivers and lakes of Arkansas and Canada.

Above all else, Bill dearly loved the Lord Jesus Christ, his wife Ann, and his family. Since that transformative day on the Norfork River, he devoted himself to growing closer to Christ and being a faithful witness. His fervent hope was that all who knew him would be encouraged to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday/ December 9 at Second Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary- 4055 Poplar Avenue/ Memphis/ TN. Prior to the service/ family will receive friends beginning at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers/ donations may be made to the Memphis Union Mission.