Lt. Col. (Retired) Billy V. Hardin

Lt. Col. (Retired) Billy V. Hardin went to meet his Savior September 9, 2026. He was born May 29, 1937, in Forest City, NC, the son of the late Woodrow Hardin and Pauline Hudlow Hardin.

Lt. Col. Hardin graduated from Cool Springs High School, N.C. Military Academy, Mercer County Community College, University of the State of New York, United States Army's Command and General Staff College and United States Army's Inspector General School. He retired as a Design Specialist with Lockwood Greene Engineers, Inc. in Spartanburg, SC. He retired as a Lt. Col. after serving a total of 36 years in the N.C. Army National Guard, U. S. Army Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve.

He was a member of Florence Baptist Church. He was active in his community by serving on the Town of Forest City's Board of Planning and Adjustment, Revitalization of the Cone Mills Project, Realize Rutherford, a mentor for Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation, member of Rutherford County 20 Year National Guard Association and a former member of the Board of Advisors of Gardner-Webb University.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Carolyn L. Hardin, daughter Crystal Hardin Searcy and husband Danny of Woodland Park, CO, son Scott Hardin and wife Deanna of Fayetteville, granddaughter Lauren Searcy Decker and husband Ian, three grandsons Nicholas Searcy and wife Morgan, Palmer and Collin Hardin and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

The funeral was held September 15 in The Padgett and King Chapel with Rev. John Harris and Rev. Scott Butler officiating. Military honors were accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard.

An online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

Padgett~King Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.