William “Bill” Hardy

William “Bill” Hardy of Solvang, CA passed away peacefully in his home on August 14, 2024, at the ripe old age of 101 years, 10 months, and 14 days.

He was born October 1, 1922, in Chicago, IL, where he grew up alongside his sister during the Great Depression. He enlisted into the US Navy, February 1941, where he spent much of World War II in the Atlantic Norfolk/Liverpool crossing. Just six months before the end of WWII, Bill married the love of his life, Geraldine “Gerry” in March of 1945, and the two of them embraced the naval life. At the end of 1945, they welcomed their first daughter, Diana.

After a naval career of 20 years, and welcoming two more children, Willam (1950) and Marilyn (1960), Bill retired as Chief Petty Officer. In 1964, he and Gerry moved to Buellton, and shortly after settled into the Santa Ynez Valley, where he continued his career in civil service at VAFB until 1980 and then continued being a providing husband and devoted father.

Those who knew Bill knew his love of the Navy (Go Navy, Beat Army!) and his fascination with trains. But his greatest accomplishment known will always be his family. Despite being a relatively private person, everyone who met him could see the love he had for his wife and children, and the pride he felt for his grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents William R. and Myrtle, and his sister, Virginia. He will be greatly missed by his beautiful bride of 79 years, Gerry, his daughter Diana of Huntington Beach, his son William (Anne Margaret) of Ketchikan, AK, his daughter Marilyn (Doug) of Santa Maria, his 8 grandchildren, and his 5 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thank you to VNA Hospice Santa Ynez Valley and to his dear caregivers, Adriana, Deb, Maria and Patty! We are forever grateful for you!

As a final farewell, his family would ask that you join them in sending him off with the last line of the proud naval fight song “Anchors Aweigh”:

“Until we meet once more, here’s to wishing you a happy voyage home!”

Loper Funeral Chapel Directors