William Donald Gasner

William Donald “Billy” Gasner, 74, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Billy was born on October 13, 1951, to Merle and Evelyn Gasner in Owatonna, Minnesota, where he was raised and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School (Marian) in 1970. In 1972, he graduated from Austin Vocational-Tech with a degree in Auto Body Repair.

Billy married his high school sweetheart, Naomi Morrell, on October 14, 1972, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together, they made their home in Owatonna, where they raised three children and were blessed with four beautiful grandchildren.

Billy spent five years serving in the National Guard. Earlier in his career, he worked in auto body repair at the Chevy garage in downtown Owatonna. He later spent more than 27 years working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation before retiring in 2013.

Billy, or Bones as he was often known, had a contagious sense of humor and loved laughing with others. He was a fan of all things sports-especially football and baseball and throughout his life, he enjoyed bowling, painting, golfing, cribbage, and reading. Most of all, he cherished spending time at home with his family.

In his later years, Billy lived with dementia and kidney disease. While dementia changed many things, it could never erase the love he had for his family or the special memories they shared together. His family will always remember the man he was and the joy he found in being together with those he loved. Although he was taken too soon, Billy was a man of faith. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is now with the Lord and that they will see him again.

Billy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Naomi; son, Eric Gasner; daughters, Wendy Gasner and Jodi Gasner; and four grandchildren, Olivia Copeland, Brayden Bentley, Charlotte and Beatrice Gasner. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Pat (Willy) Eastwood; brothers, Paul (Joan) Gasner and Sid Gasner; brother-in-law David Klinkhammer; sisters-in-law Ilene Gasner, Nancy Morrell and Audrey Morrell; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Joan (Donald) Giorgio and Susan Klinkhammer; brothers Robert Gasner and Tom Gasner; sisters-in-law Pat Gasner, Dorothy Gasner, and Michele Wiegand; mother-in-law Ruth Morrell; brother-in-law Veryl Morrell; nieces Jean Gasner and Stacy Klinkhammer; and nephew, Dr. Kurt Gasner.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Birchwood Cottages and Ecumen Hospice for their kindness and compassion shown to Billy and his family during his final days. Your support and care will always be remembered and deeply appreciated.

Funeral services will take place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2500 7th Avenue NE, Owatonna, MN 55060 on October 2nd, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Inurnment will be at Owatonna Memorial Gardens at a later date.