Gardner A. Williams, 97, died peacefully at home at Pomperaug Woods on Monday May 9th with his daughter and son at his side, their spouses, all of his grandchildren and his great granddaughter having all joined him for his 97th birthday and been with him repeatedly, in person or by phone, letter, video link or e-mail before his death, to say goodbye.

Born in Berwick, Maine, Gard was raised in Danvers, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard College in 1934, he taught American History at Holden High School. In 1941 he joined the U.S. Army and was accepted into Officer's Candidate School. Three days after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant he married the love of his life, Elsie G. Wheeler. After a brief time together as husband and wife, he shipped out to serve two years as a combat infantryman with the 45th Infantry Division (the Thunderbirds) in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. During those years, initially as Infantry Platoon Leader, later as Rifle Company Commander, he was involved in several D-day landings before the one in Normandy, received battlefield promotions first to Captain and then to Major, was wounded and returned to action for the duration of the war. By then Regimental Executive Officer, he was among the combat troops to liberate Dachau. He spent VE Day and the last days of the war in Hitler's apartment in Munich and his Berchtesgaden/Eagle's Nest retreat in the Alps. As a result of his wartime service and wounds Gard was awarded a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters for valor, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart and a Legion of Merit.

Following the war Gard decided to become a career officer, earned a Masters in Political Science and devoted most of his post-war career, after a tour in Korea, to teaching, diplomacy and intelligence in Japan, India and various locations in the United States. Although he retired as Chief of Plans of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Colonel was not a classic Army officer. During the height of Senator McCarthy's hearings about communist infiltration of the Army, Gard insisted that his students (future generals and admirals who were senior to him in rank) know the enemy by requiring them to read works by Lenin, Marx and other blacklisted authors. Although he carried shrapnel in his body since 1944, in the 1960's he opposed the Vietnam War, marching in protest in his dress uniform.

Moving more than a dozen times during their 47 years of marriage, Gard and Elsie raised three children who each had two children. Those six grandchildren knew him simply as Grandpa-ji, a Hindi term of endearment bestowed by his children after his years as Defense Attaché© with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Following retirement, and prior to Elsie's death in 1989, they enjoyed summers at a 19th century summer home which he renovated at Bear Lake in Pennsylvania. Well into his 80's he daily rowed several miles around the lake (often before sunrise), swam, played tennis, walked around the lake, skated and volunteered to drive patients who could no longer do so themselves. Well into his mid-90's he rode his exercise bike and continued as an avid reader and debater of history and public affairs. Until a week before his death much of his reading and communication was on-line, having taken computer courses his 70's.

Gard was predeceased by Elsie, their eldest daughter Durant W. Escott and his parents Ralph E. and Ellen S. Williams. He is survived by his brother Gordon E. Williams, his sister Ruth W. Kingsley, his daughter Terry A. Williams (Stephen R. Carter), his son G. Kimball Williams (Margaret J. Gillis), his six beloved grandchildren, Lauren E. Pavlis (Timothy E. Pavlis), Kevin B. Carter, Sawyer A. Williams, Brendan R. Carter, David W. Escott and Connor H. Williams, and his great granddaughter, Abigail D. Pavlis, in whose varied accomplishments he delighted. He is also survived by his dear friend Karen E. Lidman, who had also lost her spouse and with whom he shared many interests and vigorous debates.

The family can never adequately express their gratitude for the loving care given to their father/Grandpa-ji by the members of the staff of Pomperaug Woods, particularly the members of the Resident Health Services, during his eight years there -- or by the Visiting Nurse Association of Waterbury during the six months of their hospice care for him.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to his hospice care providers, Hope Team, c/o Bonnie Johnson, VNA Health Care, 50 Brookside Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708 or to the P.W. Residents' Gift Fund, c/o Jeanne Peck, 127 Pomperaug Woods, Southbury, CT 06488.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Services: Memorials will be held at 11 a.m. in the Card Room at Pomperaug Woods on May 16 and at Bear Lake in July.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.