YNOT – William C. “Bill” Atkinson Gardner, founder of gay adult bareback studio Hot Desert Knights, died Sept. 8 at his home in Seaford, Del., after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. He was 62.Gardner founded HDK in Palm Springs, Calif., in 1998 and served as chief executive officer and president of the company until September 2009, when he stepped down due to health issues. Lee Watson, who took over leadership of the studio upon Gardner’s retirement, called Gardner a strong, caring leader in the industry and within the company.

“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 [Gardner’s] head,” Watson said. “He was always a very caring and generous person to his staff and co-workers, who he treated as family.”

Prior to his illness, Gardner was active in politics, serving as city manager and on the city council in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He later became president of The Delaware Motor Transport Association, an affiliate of the American Trucking Association, and founded CTTS, a company dedicated to helping the trucking industry comply with U.S. regulations. While he owned CTTS, he authored a compliance manual and delivered seminars nationwide.

After his retirement from CTTS in 1994, Gardner moved to Palm Springs, Calif., and founded Hot Desert Knights. There he became known less for the gay pornography his company produced than for his compassion and generosity.

“Bill was the kind of guy who would quite literally take the shirt off his back and give it to you if you needed it … then offer his trousers,” Watson said. “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,” Watson continued. “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.”

Gardner is survived by his wife, Theresa M. Atkinson of Columbus, Ohio, a qualified nurse who nursed and cared for him 24/7 throughout the final months of his battle with cancer. He also survived is by his loving daughter, Brandy R. Atkinson of Seaford, Del.; son Jason W. Atkinson of Columbus, Ohio, and one granddaughter.

“Bill’s favorite drink was Crown Royal, and one of his endearing final wishes was that all his friends, wherever they maybe, would toast him with a glass of Crown Royal and celebrate his life,” Watson said. “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 earned so much gratitude from so many. You are loved by many and will be sorely missed.”

A private memorial service for will take place in Seaford, Del., at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be sent to the AIDS Assistance Program, 1276 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, Calif. 92262.