Dr. William Hardman, former city commissioner and mayor who delivered nearly 6,000 babies in his career of 51 years, died late Monday at Lake Wales Medical Center. He was 77 years old. A Lake Wales native, Hardman was the first medical specialist in Lake Wales, opening his practice in 1965.
Bill was born at home November 26, 1932 to William Neil and Linnie Cleo Hardman. Between 1944 and 1950, he played in the Highlander band under the baton of Otto Krauschaar, a former member of John Philip Sousa's band. Bill served sodas at Murray's Pharmacy and was a paperboy for GRIT newspapers. He graduated in 1950 as the senior class president at Lake Wales High School.
A University of Florida alumnus, Bill graduated medical school at Emory University. While at Emory, Bill met and married Mary Leigh Reid. Bill and Mimi were married in her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky in 1958. Following marriage and medical school they lived in South and North Carolina, where Dr. Hardman completed his medical internship and residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At Charlotte Memorial Hospital he was the chief resident and senior house officer. In Charlotte, their eldest children, Kelly and Bill, Jr., were born in 1961 and 1963, respectively.
After serving as a Lieutenant Commander at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Dr. Hardman returned to his hometown in 1965 and setup private practice. Their son Reid was born in 1970 in Lake Wales Hospital.
Dr. Hardman served on the City Commission and as mayor of Lake Wales in the 1970s. As owners and restorers of The Arcade building in the city's historic downtown, the Hardmans were among a group of civic leaders who were the catalyst for redevelopment, triggering a surge of revitalization in the heart of the city.
Dr. Hardman delivered his 5,000th baby in 1994. His last delivery was his granddaughter Elizabeth in 2001. After 42 years in private practice, he retired fully at the end of 2007. Upon his retirement, he was formally recognized by Lake Wales Medical Center for his service to patients, the community, medical staff, and the hospital.
Dr. Hardman compiled a long list of service to his profession and community including: Chairman, LWMC Board of Trustees, Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chairman, Medical Executive Committee, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and Polk County Medical Association, 2-time Lake Wales City Commissioner, Lake Wales City Mayor President, Greater Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce President, Polk County Unit of the American Cancer Society Executive committee, Historic Lake Wales Society, Kiwanis Club LW, Stadium Committee LW, Little League Baseball City of LW, Bicentennial Committee Advisory Board, Polk County Juvenile Home Committee on Research and Development, LW Depot Commission, LW High School Band Association, Administrative Board and Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church Vice President, Polk County Band Council Chairman, Civic Center Recreation Commission, City of Lake Wales, 2008 Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award, Lake Wales 2009 Pioneer of the Year.
A fine gentleman and outstanding doctor, Dr. Hardman will be remembered for his quality of care and compassion, as a great father, for dedication to his calling and hometown, his sense of humor, uncompromising and unselfish service, decades of annual Christmas poems, trusted guidance and leadership, and obedience to the Lord.
Dr. Hardman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mimi; Kelly and Steve Parker of Naples and their children Reid, William, and Elizabeth; Bill, Jr. and Jodie Hardman of Orlando and their children Miller III and Anderson, and Reid and Molly Hardman of Lake Wales and their children Mary Leigh and Streaty.
Services for Dr. Hardman will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales at 3 p.m. Saturday, with Pastor Jeff Kantz officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The Greater Lake Wales Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 990, Lake Wales, FL 33853 or The Historic Lake Wales Society, 325 South Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.
Published in News-Chief from April 9 to April 10, 2010.
Bill was born at home November 26, 1932 to William Neil and Linnie Cleo Hardman. Between 1944 and 1950, he played in the Highlander band under the baton of Otto Krauschaar, a former member of John Philip Sousa's band. Bill served sodas at Murray's Pharmacy and was a paperboy for GRIT newspapers. He graduated in 1950 as the senior class president at Lake Wales High School.
A University of Florida alumnus, Bill graduated medical school at Emory University. While at Emory, Bill met and married Mary Leigh Reid. Bill and Mimi were married in her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky in 1958. Following marriage and medical school they lived in South and North Carolina, where Dr. Hardman completed his medical internship and residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At Charlotte Memorial Hospital he was the chief resident and senior house officer. In Charlotte, their eldest children, Kelly and Bill, Jr., were born in 1961 and 1963, respectively.
After serving as a Lieutenant Commander at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Dr. Hardman returned to his hometown in 1965 and setup private practice. Their son Reid was born in 1970 in Lake Wales Hospital.
Dr. Hardman served on the City Commission and as mayor of Lake Wales in the 1970s. As owners and restorers of The Arcade building in the city's historic downtown, the Hardmans were among a group of civic leaders who were the catalyst for redevelopment, triggering a surge of revitalization in the heart of the city.
Dr. Hardman delivered his 5,000th baby in 1994. His last delivery was his granddaughter Elizabeth in 2001. After 42 years in private practice, he retired fully at the end of 2007. Upon his retirement, he was formally recognized by Lake Wales Medical Center for his service to patients, the community, medical staff, and the hospital.
Dr. Hardman compiled a long list of service to his profession and community including: Chairman, LWMC Board of Trustees, Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chairman, Medical Executive Committee, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and Polk County Medical Association, 2-time Lake Wales City Commissioner, Lake Wales City Mayor President, Greater Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce President, Polk County Unit of the American Cancer Society Executive committee, Historic Lake Wales Society, Kiwanis Club LW, Stadium Committee LW, Little League Baseball City of LW, Bicentennial Committee Advisory Board, Polk County Juvenile Home Committee on Research and Development, LW Depot Commission, LW High School Band Association, Administrative Board and Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church Vice President, Polk County Band Council Chairman, Civic Center Recreation Commission, City of Lake Wales, 2008 Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award, Lake Wales 2009 Pioneer of the Year.
A fine gentleman and outstanding doctor, Dr. Hardman will be remembered for his quality of care and compassion, as a great father, for dedication to his calling and hometown, his sense of humor, uncompromising and unselfish service, decades of annual Christmas poems, trusted guidance and leadership, and obedience to the Lord.
Dr. Hardman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mimi; Kelly and Steve Parker of Naples and their children Reid, William, and Elizabeth; Bill, Jr. and Jodie Hardman of Orlando and their children Miller III and Anderson, and Reid and Molly Hardman of Lake Wales and their children Mary Leigh and Streaty.
Services for Dr. Hardman will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales at 3 p.m. Saturday, with Pastor Jeff Kantz officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The Greater Lake Wales Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 990, Lake Wales, FL 33853 or The Historic Lake Wales Society, 325 South Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.
Published in News-Chief from April 9 to April 10, 2010.
Dr. William Hardman, former city commissioner and mayor who delivered nearly 6,000 babies in his career of 51 years, died late Monday at Lake Wales Medical Center. He was 77 years old. A Lake Wales native, Hardman was the first medical specialist in Lake Wales, opening his practice in 1965.
Bill was born at home November 26, 1932 to William Neil and Linnie Cleo Hardman. Between 1944 and 1950, he played in the Highlander band under the baton of Otto Krauschaar, a former member of John Philip Sousa's band. Bill served sodas at Murray's Pharmacy and was a paperboy for GRIT newspapers. He graduated in 1950 as the senior class president at Lake Wales High School.
A University of Florida alumnus, Bill graduated medical school at Emory University. While at Emory, Bill met and married Mary Leigh Reid. Bill and Mimi were married in her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky in 1958. Following marriage and medical school they lived in South and North Carolina, where Dr. Hardman completed his medical internship and residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At Charlotte Memorial Hospital he was the chief resident and senior house officer. In Charlotte, their eldest children, Kelly and Bill, Jr., were born in 1961 and 1963, respectively.
After serving as a Lieutenant Commander at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Dr. Hardman returned to his hometown in 1965 and setup private practice. Their son Reid was born in 1970 in Lake Wales Hospital.
Dr. Hardman served on the City Commission and as mayor of Lake Wales in the 1970s. As owners and restorers of The Arcade building in the city's historic downtown, the Hardmans were among a group of civic leaders who were the catalyst for redevelopment, triggering a surge of revitalization in the heart of the city.
Dr. Hardman delivered his 5,000th baby in 1994. His last delivery was his granddaughter Elizabeth in 2001. After 42 years in private practice, he retired fully at the end of 2007. Upon his retirement, he was formally recognized by Lake Wales Medical Center for his service to patients, the community, medical staff, and the hospital.
Dr. Hardman compiled a long list of service to his profession and community including: Chairman, LWMC Board of Trustees, Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chairman, Medical Executive Committee, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and Polk County Medical Association, 2-time Lake Wales City Commissioner, Lake Wales City Mayor President, Greater Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce President, Polk County Unit of the American Cancer Society Executive committee, Historic Lake Wales Society, Kiwanis Club LW, Stadium Committee LW, Little League Baseball City of LW, Bicentennial Committee Advisory Board, Polk County Juvenile Home Committee on Research and Development, LW Depot Commission, LW High School Band Association, Administrative Board and Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church Vice President, Polk County Band Council Chairman, Civic Center Recreation Commission, City of Lake Wales, 2008 Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award, Lake Wales 2009 Pioneer of the Year.
A fine gentleman and outstanding doctor, Dr. Hardman will be remembered for his quality of care and compassion, as a great father, for dedication to his calling and hometown, his sense of humor, uncompromising and unselfish service, decades of annual Christmas poems, trusted guidance and leadership, and obedience to the Lord.
Dr. Hardman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mimi; Kelly and Steve Parker of Naples and their children Reid, William, and Elizabeth; Bill, Jr. and Jodie Hardman of Orlando and their children Miller III and Anderson, and Reid and Molly Hardman of Lake Wales and their children Mary Leigh and Streaty.
Services for Dr. Hardman will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales at 3 p.m. Saturday, with Pastor Jeff Kantz officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The Greater Lake Wales Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 990, Lake Wales, FL 33853 or The Historic Lake Wales Society, 325 South Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.
Published in News-Chief from April 9 to April 10, 2010.
Bill was born at home November 26, 1932 to William Neil and Linnie Cleo Hardman. Between 1944 and 1950, he played in the Highlander band under the baton of Otto Krauschaar, a former member of John Philip Sousa's band. Bill served sodas at Murray's Pharmacy and was a paperboy for GRIT newspapers. He graduated in 1950 as the senior class president at Lake Wales High School.
A University of Florida alumnus, Bill graduated medical school at Emory University. While at Emory, Bill met and married Mary Leigh Reid. Bill and Mimi were married in her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky in 1958. Following marriage and medical school they lived in South and North Carolina, where Dr. Hardman completed his medical internship and residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At Charlotte Memorial Hospital he was the chief resident and senior house officer. In Charlotte, their eldest children, Kelly and Bill, Jr., were born in 1961 and 1963, respectively.
After serving as a Lieutenant Commander at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Dr. Hardman returned to his hometown in 1965 and setup private practice. Their son Reid was born in 1970 in Lake Wales Hospital.
Dr. Hardman served on the City Commission and as mayor of Lake Wales in the 1970s. As owners and restorers of The Arcade building in the city's historic downtown, the Hardmans were among a group of civic leaders who were the catalyst for redevelopment, triggering a surge of revitalization in the heart of the city.
Dr. Hardman delivered his 5,000th baby in 1994. His last delivery was his granddaughter Elizabeth in 2001. After 42 years in private practice, he retired fully at the end of 2007. Upon his retirement, he was formally recognized by Lake Wales Medical Center for his service to patients, the community, medical staff, and the hospital.
Dr. Hardman compiled a long list of service to his profession and community including: Chairman, LWMC Board of Trustees, Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chairman, Medical Executive Committee, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and Polk County Medical Association, 2-time Lake Wales City Commissioner, Lake Wales City Mayor President, Greater Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce President, Polk County Unit of the American Cancer Society Executive committee, Historic Lake Wales Society, Kiwanis Club LW, Stadium Committee LW, Little League Baseball City of LW, Bicentennial Committee Advisory Board, Polk County Juvenile Home Committee on Research and Development, LW Depot Commission, LW High School Band Association, Administrative Board and Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church Vice President, Polk County Band Council Chairman, Civic Center Recreation Commission, City of Lake Wales, 2008 Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award, Lake Wales 2009 Pioneer of the Year.
A fine gentleman and outstanding doctor, Dr. Hardman will be remembered for his quality of care and compassion, as a great father, for dedication to his calling and hometown, his sense of humor, uncompromising and unselfish service, decades of annual Christmas poems, trusted guidance and leadership, and obedience to the Lord.
Dr. Hardman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mimi; Kelly and Steve Parker of Naples and their children Reid, William, and Elizabeth; Bill, Jr. and Jodie Hardman of Orlando and their children Miller III and Anderson, and Reid and Molly Hardman of Lake Wales and their children Mary Leigh and Streaty.
Services for Dr. Hardman will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales at 3 p.m. Saturday, with Pastor Jeff Kantz officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The Greater Lake Wales Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 990, Lake Wales, FL 33853 or The Historic Lake Wales Society, 325 South Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.
Published in News-Chief from April 9 to April 10, 2010.
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