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It's not often in gay porn we see the minds behind the movies get credit, but that is the reason why I am dedicating this blog post to our good friend and founder of HDK, Bill Gardner, who today passed away. Bill was more then just your typical gay pornographer...he was someone that was an inspiration to many in our industry, went above and beyond his call of duty helping others with HIV awareness and charities, and always stood up for what he believed in and did what he thought was right.
Here is the official press release from the President of Hot Desert Knights:
It is my deepest regret, to tell you all that William C. “Bill” Atkinson Gardner, better known as HDKBill, age 62, formerly of Palm Springs, CA and most recently of Seaford, DE, passed away this morning on September 8th at 3:30am EST after a vigorous courageous battle with lung cancer. We remember him, cherish him, and honor him. Bill you have long been in our prayers, and will always be remembered and held in our hearts.
As many friends know, Bill was diagnosed with Lung Cancer almost exactly one year ago to the day, in September of 2009, for which he fought a long courageous battle to try and overcome.
He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family who were by his side and held his hand to the end. With Gods blessing and the many prayers from friends and loved ones, he slept almost entirely throughout his final last few days and went peacefully.
Bill was best known as the founder and CEO of Hot Desert Knights, Inc., a company that produces adult entertainment for the gay community. Started in 1998, Hot Desert Knights, Inc., quickly became a leader in the gay adult entertainment industry with sales throughout the world, and despite all this success, it never went to his head. He was always a very caring and generous person to his staff and co-workers, who he treated as family.
Bill was formerly actively involved in politics, and served as City Manager and City Councilman of Bellefontaine, Ohio and was President of The Delaware Motor Transport Association, an affiliate of the American Trucking Association. He was also well known as the owner and founder of C.T.T.S., a company dedicated to helping people in the trucking industry comply with Osha and government regulations, for which he wrote a book and gave countless seminars to thousands of people across the country, before his partial retirement to Palm Springs in 1994.
Bill was the kind of guy who would quite literally give the shirt of his back and give it to you if you needed it.....then offer his trousers! Bill's heart was always filled with compassion, a giving attitude and the wit that went beyond human comprehension. If you were down and out, he would cast miles of smiles and humorous 'one-liners' to pull you out of a downward spiral. He never once asked for anything back in return, always defining this as "the way we do it". He also gave openhandedly to so many causes in the gay community; his generosity was astounding. He has touched so many lives along the way and left his mark within this community, leaving a deep imprint with those lives he touched. My heart goes out to so many, knowing the pain they must feel from such a loss. We all miss him greatly.
Bill's favorite drink was "Crown Royal", and one of his endearing final wishes was that all his friends, where ever they maybe, would toast him with a glass of Crown Royal and celebrate his life. So please join us as we honor a man of men, a steward of this community and the heart and soul of HDK. Bill......rest peacefully, you've earnest so much gratitude from so many. You are loved by many and will be sorely missed.
A private memorial service for Bill will be held in Seaford, DE at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to the Aids Assistance Program, 1276 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
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