William Robert Hardwick

HARDWICK, William Robert from Tampa, passed away at his home on June 1, 2011 while sleeping. One month and a few days shy of his 87th birthday, he was the middle of three sons born to Louis and Carry Hardwick in Shreveport, LA. His older brother, Julian, predeceased Bob but his younger brother Carl and his wife Shirley reside in Shreveport. Bob was born July 7, 1924 and, following school, went to work for Southern Bell. The Second World war interupted his telephone career and, in 1942, he was posted to South California as a Navy Seaman, where he served on armed submarine chasers along the Pacific Coast. He met and married Betty May Poulson. Dad served for the duration of WWII and returned to employment with Pacific Telephone in California, rising into middle management. Dad was recalled to active duty by the Department of the Navy in 1951 and served in Japan as part of the naval support for the Korean War. Bob eventually retired from Pacific Telephone and, in late 1990, divorced. Relocating to Florida where he reunited with his high school sweetheart, Juanita Morgan and married her. Bob Hardwick is survived by four children from his marriage to Betty Poulson, his son, Brent; and three daughters, Linda, Cheryl and Debbie. He has two sons with Juanita Morgan, Michael and Ted. Bob is also survived by twenty-three grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. You fought the good fight, now rest in peace beloved father. Friends will be received on June 5 from 6-8 pm at the South Tampa Chapel of Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes. Funeral service will be held at Peninsular Christian Church, 3600 Ballast Point Blvd. on Monday June 6 at 10 am, Bob will be laid to rest at the Garden of Memories Cemetery following the service. Brewer & Sons Funeral Home, 813-835-4991.