Wilmer Lee Gardner
September 7, 1924 – November 3, 2023
On November 3, 2023, Wilmer Lee ‘Lee’ Gardner, 99, of Odenton, was called home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. The only child of William H. and Eleanora T. (nee Lee) Gardner, Wilmer Lee was born and raised in Baltimore, he joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1943 and flew 31 combat missions as a B-17 left waist gunner in the European Theater of Operations. Staff Sergeant Gardner was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism or extraordinary achievement during aerial combat; four Air Medals, each for heroism or extraordinary achievement during aerial combat; the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, and his unit, the 8th Army Air Force, 95th Bomb Group, 334th Bomb Squadron, was twice awarded the Presidential Unit Citation during his term of enlistment. Staff Sergeant Gardner took part in two pre-invasion bombing raids into Normandy on D-Day; once on ‘To Hell or Glory’ and once on ‘Mirandy.’
“Before and following the war, Lee worked in the mills at McCormick Spice Company on Light Street in Baltimore. After leaving McCormick, Lee worked at Westinghouse as a field engineer; he also worked as a surveyor on the Harundale housing development. Lee also raised thoroughbred racehorses on the family farm, Sandstone Farms, in Odenton for over 30 years.
“Wilmer Lee Gardner is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra Marie Calo (nee Gardner) and Michael Calo of Odenton; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, William Gardner and Kristina Gardner (nee Gary) of Frankfort, Delaware; grandson, Brian Gardner of Millsboro, Delaware; granddaughter, Ashlee Gardner of Crownsville; 8 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Florence Marie (‘Marie’) Gardner (nee Rollins) and his son, Turner Lee (‘Lee’) Gardner.”
The service for Lee is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on 9 November 2023 at the Crownsville, Maryland, Veteran Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD. Lee’s son-in-law Mike requests that condolences be sent to Sandee (Gardner) Calo at 1311 Beverly Avenue, Odenton, MD 21113-1532.