Bill Gardner’s story begins on March 21, 1953, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. As the fifth of seven children born to Bill and Jane Gardner, his early years were spent in a home on Sherman Avenue, across from the Fuller’s Woods neighborhood. His father, also named Bill Gardner, was a dedicated educator and served as the principal of Lakewood Elementary School in Maple Bluff, just a few blocks from their home. However, before young Bill could attend Lakewood (which was demolished in 1986 and replaced with a park), the family relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, where his father took a teaching position at Drake University.
In 1968, the Gardners returned to Madison when Bill’s father accepted a role as the Assistant Director of Personnel for the Madison Metropolitan School District. This time, the family settled in the Midvale Heights neighborhood on the west side, and Bill entered Madison West High School as a sophomore. Walking into West for the first time was a transformative experience. “I remember getting off the City of Madison bus on Regent Street right in front of the high school and immediately noticed a lot of students peacefully walking around the city block of Madison West High School handing out political campaign literature. I was 15 years old and came to an immediate conclusion that Madison was going to be a lot different than what I was used to experiencing. I found my way up the grandiose steps of West High School on Ash Street, walked in the front door of the high school and walked into a student sit-in in the main lobby of the High School. It was a new reality for me and it made me realize that it was time to put my big boy pants on. From that point on, my perspective on what high school and Madison was, completely changed. As my time at West went on, I couldn’t help but believe that day awakened me to the real world and it affected me significantly for the rest of my life.”
During his time at West, Bill found a passion for athletics, playing both basketball and baseball. “I truly loved playing basketball and couldn’t help but dream about the possibility of playing basketball in college once my high school experience was over.” That dream became a reality when he attended UW-Platteville and made the basketball team. His senior year was capped off with a conference championship, an achievement he still cherishes. Bill graduated from Madison West High School in 1971, a year that would mark the beginning of his journey into adulthood and higher education.
After graduating from UW-Platteville in December 1975 with a degree in Civil Engineering, Bill embarked on a successful career in the field. He credits his Madison public school education with preparing him for professional success. “The incredible education I received at West High played a huge role in pursuing my college degree and the wonderful jobs I have had throughout my working career.”
Bill’s connection to Madison schools runs deep. His father’s career in the district evolved over time – after serving as Assistant Director of Personnel, he stepped in as principal of Glenn Stephens Elementary for a year to fill an unexpected vacancy. He then became the School Registrar for his final year before retiring in 1980. Growing up with parents who both majored in education, Bill was raised with a strong appreciation for learning. “My parents definitively made it clear how fortunate I was to be a student in the Madison public school system because of the quality of the community, the schools, and school personnel. To this day, I am proud and grateful I went to and graduated from Madison West High School.”
Looking back, Bill appreciates the dedication of educators. “School teachers and administrators are hardworking, caring individuals who do their best to bring out the best from the students who are in the district despite being underappreciated by the general population as a whole. Nothing is more important to a child than the school district’s role in their development other than perhaps the role of the child’s parents.”
Today, Bill is enjoying retirement, spending time as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His days are filled with watching his granddaughter, playing golf, working in the yard, and staying informed about current events. While his primary connection in recent years has been with the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, where he has lived for over 20 years, his heart remains tied to Madison’s public schools and the experiences that shaped his journey.
From his days at West High to a career in civil engineering, Bill Gardner’s path has been shaped by the strong foundation he built in Madison’s public schools. His classroom and basketball court experiences prepared him for the challenges ahead, and his appreciation for education continues to resonate in his life today.
Madison’s public schools are proud to count Bill Gardner among their alumni!
