Mr. Wardell Gilliard, 91, of Houston, Texas, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 15, 2026. Memorial Service: Friday, June 5, 2026 ~ Viewing: 9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. ~ Funeral: 11:00a.m. ~ Willie C. McDuffie Memorial Chapel ~ 115 West Hamilton St. ~ Houston, Texas 77076. Homegoing Service: Saturday, June 6, 2026 ~ Viewing: 10:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. ~ Funeral: 11:00a.m. Services will be held at New Zion CME Church ~ 1240 Linton Rd. ~ Benton, Louisiana 71006. Final Resting Place: New Zion CME Cemetery ~ Benton, Louisiana.

Wardell was born on June 3, 1934, in Benton Louisiana, to the late Toby Gillyard and Marie Parks. He was raised with his siblings: Emmit, Ola Mae, Bernice, James, Langston, Spencer, Kenneth, Marvie and Tobie Marie.  He attended high school at Bossier Parish Training School in Benton where he graduated with honors while playing on the baseball team.  After high school he attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electronics and later pursued a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from New York City College.  Immediately after graduating from Southern University,  he was drafted into the US Army.  He was discharged in 1960 at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn NY.  Wardell made New York his home to be near his eldest brother Emmit and future wife Patricia.   He began his career with the  New York City Transit Authority.  He retired from the NYCTA after twenty years of service.  Never one to be idle, he began a second career with the Long Island Lighting Company retiring in 1999.

Wardell married Patricia Robertson on June 22, 1962, and raised two amazing sons, David and Brian, in Long Island, New York.  Wardell was very active in the community.  He coached Little League baseball for many years and was a Precinct Chair in the Nassau County Democratic Party.  He was a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church where he was a faithful member of the Church and Men's Choirs.  He was also a very active member of the Manhood Training Program for the male youth of the church and the Men's League.  Wardell loved the outdoors especially boating, fishing, crabbing and clamming on the Great South Bay with the family during the summer. During the winter months he hunted deer with his big brother Emmit  in upstate New York.

Wardell and Patricia relocated to Houston where he enjoyed spending time with his second set of parents, Harold and Ella Robertson, and the extended Robertson family thoroughly enjoying his second retirement. The most rewarding and fun time for him however was staying at their second home in Benton Louisiana where he enjoyed fun times with his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, other relatives, old friends, and classmates.  They would fish and hunt in the lake and woods near the family homestead. Specifically one of his greatest pleasures was grilling and eating the catch while bullcorning with the guys .

Wardell and Patricia travelled the world, visiting Africa, Alaska, Antarctica, Argentina, Brazil, China, Mediterranean, and Caribbean.  As much as they loved international travel his favorite visits were with his grandchildren in California and Virginia.

Wardell will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Wardell was preceded in death by his parents Toby and Marie, siblings Emmit, Ola Mae, Bernice, James, Spencer, Langston, and Tobie Marie. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Patricia, his sons David (Stephanie) of Moseley, VA, and Brian (Carli) of Oakland, CA, two siblings Kenneth and Marvie, four grandchildren (Kendall, Olivia, Dylan, & Landon), and a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.