WILMINGTON — William (Bill) K. Hardee, 89 of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the company of his loving wife of 60 years and his family.
Bill was born November 9, 1933, in Whiteville, North Carolina, the son of George Dewey Hardee Sr. and Mamie Hickman Hardee. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, Doris H. Mooney and Marian H. Struve and his brother, George D. (Buck) Hardee Jr.
Bill graduated from New Hanover High School in 1952 and graduated from East Carolina University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduating, Bill never missed an opportunity to attend or watch his East Carolina Pirates play football or baseball!
On June 9, 1957, he was drafted in the United States Army. He served over 2 years in Texas and Germany in the medical corps as an Army medic.
He was a teacher and coach for over 30 years in the New Hanover County School system where he dedicated his life to his students and ball players. Bill was also a member and coach for the American Legion Post 10. Years after Post 10 competed in the 1970 American Legion World Series, Bill and all of the players from that team got together each month for breakfast to talk baseball and family.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Pat Hardee, of Wilmington, North Carolina, his two sons, Ken (Jennifer) Hardee of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Jamie (Mary) Hardee of Rome, New York, as well as his much-loved grandchildren, Olivia, Phoebe (Eric), John, Kaitlyn and Sean and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a private ceremony at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial gifts in honor of Bill’s life may be made to a charity of your choice.
The Hardee Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Robert A. Moore III and all the wonderful and caring staff at Lower Cape Fear Life Care and Hospice Center.
