William Hardesty

William (Will) Hardesty, 97, a long-time resident of Riva, died at his residence on Hardesty Creek, on October 27, after a prolonged illness. Mr. Hardesty was born on August 24, 1928, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at the family homestead on Muddy Creek Road. After completing high school, he enlisted in the Navy in January 1946. He served most of his tour of duty as a Sonar Man in the Pacific Ocean and was discharged from the US Navy Receiving Station in Boston, MA, in December 1947. Upon his discharge, he returned to Riva where he met and married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Frantom. Will worked for several years as a Union carpenter before forming Hardesty Brothers Builders in 1959. He and his brother Charles (Charlie) left their imprint on Annapolis and surrounding areas by specializing in building custom homes. Their biggest venture was Hardesty Estates in Davidsonville. He retired at the age of 51 and he and his wife spent many years traveling the country in their motor home. Aside from carpentry, Will loved boating, fishing, golfing, waterskiing, horse racing, playing cards and traveling in his RV's. He also loved having crab feasts and BBQ's at his home to celebrate holidays and special events with his family. Will was preceded in death by his wife (Pat Hardesty), daughter (Patsy Ann Lockett), father (Hunter William Hardesty), mother (Helen Mae Hardesty), and sister (Shirley Mae Hardesty). He is survived by one son (Glenn Hardesty of Davidsonville, MD), two daughters (Brenda Evans Johnson of Loudon, TN, and Amy Hardesty of Edgewater, MD), one son-in-law (Bruce Johnson of Loudon, TN), three grandsons (Hunter Hardesty, Bret Click and Russell Lockett) and one brother (Charlie Hardesty of Davidsonville, MD). A private service will be held. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Post Office Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be left for the family at: