Wilbur Hardee Obituary

Wilbur Hardee/ Mr. Wilbur Hardee, 89, died Friday, June 20, 2008. A private service will be held at a later date. Mr. Hardee, a native of Martin County, spent his life in Pitt County. He was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II, serving in the Philippines. Mr. Hardee was an entrepreneur. He started Hardee's Restaurant, Little Mint, Silo Restaurant and many other businesses over the years. He was a member of the Greenville Church of God. Mr. Hardee was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathryn Roebuck Hardee and daughters, Janie Hardee Smith and husband, Woody, and Doris Rae Hardee. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Helen Galloway Hardee; daughters, Ann Hardee Riggs and husband, Harold, of Greenville, Mary Kathryn Hardee Baker and husband, Perry, of Snow Hill, and Becky Hardee Eissens and husband, Jeremy, of Greenville; a step-daughter, Patricia Vernon Phelps of Greenville; grandchildren, Gregory Lee Riggs of Colorado Springs, Colo., now serving in Iraq, and wife, Angel, Scottie Smith of Greenville, the Rev. Marcus L. Riggs and wife, Sherin, of Princeton, James Wesley Riggs and wife, Virginia, of Greenville, James William Hodges and wife Stacey, of Greenville, S.C., Yvonne Hardee Moore and husband, Perry, of Fayetteville, Skylar Alexis Stox and Sierra Grace Stox, both of Greenville; and nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Published by The Daily Reflector on Jun. 23, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Wilbur Hardee

12 Entries

Chales Strickland, Jr

August 11, 2022

I never had chance to meet Mr. Hardee, but I sat in class at Chicod school with his daughter, , Mary Kathryn Hardee (now Mary Kathryn Hardee Baker) .

I enjoyed many fast food meals from the Little Mints and some from Hardees- which by then Wilber no longer owned. I also read twice and enjoyed Mr. Hardee´s autobiography he wrote in his later years.

God Bless and prayers for family even if I am finding this page in 2022.

I welcome any of the surviving family to reply to this or reach out to me.

Carolyn Allen

June 29, 2008

Ann, David and I just wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your lost. We know the sorrow you are going thru. I just went to my sisters homecoming today. Just know that our prayers are with and may God give you peace in this time..

Gloria Roebuck

June 25, 2008

Mr. Hardee gave me my first job out of the tobacco field when I was 14 years old at Beef N Shakes on 5th, then onto Biscuit Towne on Greene Street and then Hot Dog City in the first Hardee's location. Both him and Kathryn treated me like family even before we realized that Kathryn and my dad were distant cousins. I often still remember the time he talked the fire out of a burn I got during working. All my thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He was truly a great man.

Monica Eason

June 25, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hardee family. I have known him most of my life, my mom worked for him at the Silo restaurant where he Katherene and my mom would scrub the floors after closing, and he gave me my first job at Wilburs Barbacue, I was 15 and could only work so many hours, but he took care of me. God Bless you all!!!

Rebecca (James) Anderson

June 24, 2008

My prayers are with your family during this time of loss. I have so many fond memories of Wilbur and Kathryn and so many good times at their house on Hwy 43. God Bless You and yours.

John Wooten, Jr.

June 24, 2008

To the Hardee family
Heartfelt condolences. I knew Mr. Hardee as a man of truth and light. Also remember the excellent restaurant on 14th Street, the world's first Hardees. All his work was a result of his dedication to the inspiration he received from above.

Jay Roberson

June 24, 2008

Wilbur Hardee started his first business in Parmele, N. C. in a gas station. Business was slow so he added a hot dog grill. Later Mr. Hardee moved to Greenville where he and his family found success.

Sally Conner

June 24, 2008

My Condolences To Mr. Hardee's Family...I remember Mr. Hardee as a child growing up in Kinston..Him & My Dad, (J.D. Conner), were business partners in the Little Mints..My Dad Loved to cook steaks on the grill, & I remember Him eating with us quite alot....He was a very sweet & charismatic character...He was Mr. Wilbur Har-Dee! (-; I am Very Honored to have known the Man who is The Name Behind Hardee's. That's how I will remember him. I am looking forward to ordering his book, "The Life & Times of Wilbur Hardee" . The world Lost A Great Man When Your Husband.. Dad..Granddad, Great Grandad..& Friend Passed...He Was Sucessfull!!! Be Very Proud!!!

Dade Sherman

June 23, 2008

If I remember correctly Mr. and Mrs. Hardee owned the "Beef and Shakes" on the corner of Fifth and Reade in Greenville. I was a ECU student and a Greenville policeman from 1971-1979. I loved the burger, fries and sweet tea there. He told me if he had kept 1% of Hardees he could retire. His wife was a hard worker. I think the first Hardees was on 14th street. (I watched it burn when I was at ECU). Greenville lost a hard worker and to me a good man!

Becky Mills Sanderlin

June 23, 2008

I first met you in 1959 to know you as my first cousin. Again I saw you at the Washington HARDEE'S.
Through the years alot happened things changed, but I never failed to say He Was my cousin.

Love,
Uncle Mote' Daughter
Becky Mills Sanderlin

Bob Holt

June 23, 2008

I've known Mr. Hardee since 1962. Over 80 restaurants sprang from his creative mind and it never stopped or slowed. The last conversation I had with him a couple of years ago was peppered with new ideas about new restaurant concepts. A very devout religious man, Wilbur was a very special person and will be missed.

Timothy Copeland

June 23, 2008

Although I have heard about the man all my life and knew where he lived, to my knowledge I have never met Wilbur Hardee. I knew about Hardee's, Little Mint and the other restaurants he began (I think, Biscuit Town, too!), but I also knew Janie and Woody. There was no more gracious or hardworking hostess/restaurant operator in all of Eastern Carolina than Janie. Greenville misses The Three Steers TERRIBLY and we very much miss Janie and Woody. Nothing has come along to replace The Three Steers Restaurant and no one will ever replace Janie or Woody. May God richly bless the family of Wilbur Hardee...

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