William Will Hardesty, III

1966 ∼ 2010

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William "Will" Hardesty, III, 43, a former resident of Nederland and Mauriceville, Texas died Friday, May 7, 2010, in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Mauriceville. Officiating will be Pastor Donny Robbins of Celebration of Life Church in Port Arthur and Reverend Kevin Brown of First Baptist Church Mauriceville. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Orange, Texas on November 22, 1966, William was the son of William Tate Hardesty, Jr. and Patricia Ann Frederick Hardesty.

William accepted Christ at an early age, and felt he was called by God to the ministry at the age of 12. After graduating from Little Cypress Mauriceville High School in 1985, he served in the United States Navy for 4 years. Later, he attended Lamar State College - Orange for 2 years, and then he fulfilled his ministerial calling by serving for Teen Challenge Texas as teacher, counselor, and leader in San Antonio and Coastal Bend Campuses; and then became Education Director at the Jasper Campus. He was also currently employed by Turner Industries and was a member of Celebration of Life Church in Port Arthur, along with his loving wife, Paula. His leadership and love for the Lord was an inspiration to many, William will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by his father, Will is survived by his wife, Paula Salvagio Hardesty and her three sons, Travis, Tyler and Trent of Nederland; his son, Spencer Sonnier of Orange; and mother, Pat Hardesty Cheek and her husband Truett of Mauriceville.

He is also survived by his sisters, Sherri Flowers and her husband Buddy of Mauriceville and Stephanie Garza and her husband Jimmy of Orange; nieces, Summer Parker and Jocelyn Garza; nephews, Dakota Parker and Gabriel Garza; and Truett's sons, David and John Cheek.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Dakota Parker, Jeff Hunt, Wayne Allen Frederick, Ercell Frederick, Keith Williams and Louis Vincent. Honorary Pallbearers will be William's childhood friends and camping buddies from Mauriceville "You know who you are".

Memorial contributions may be made to Celebration of Life, P.O. Box 2064, Port Arthur, Texas 77642 or First Baptist Church Mauriceville, P.O. Box 56 Mauriceville, Texas 77626.

Condolences

Anonymous May 26, 2010

Dear Pat & Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We pray that God will give you peace and strength. With Loving Thoughts & Prayers Scott,Rebekah,Tyler,Storm & Michael Owens##imported-begin##Scott Owens##imported-end##

Anonymous May 21, 2010

Pat, We're sorry for your loss. We'll keep you & your family in our thoughts and prayers. Remember Jesus loves you & we love you too.##imported-begin##John & Diane Webb##imported-end##

Anonymous May 21, 2010

Pat, Our families have been close for many years and I wish we could be there with you during this time. We ask God to place his loving hand on you to give you peace as only He can. We love you all.##imported-begin##Robert & Lois Owens##imported-end##

Anonymous May 19, 2010

We are all deeply sad at the loss of Will. God give your family peace and comfort. We love you all##imported-begin##todd owens##imported-end##

Anonymous May 18, 2010

Pat and Family, I just heard about William and want to pass on my sincere sympathy to all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.##imported-begin##Dianne McGee##imported-end##

Anonymous May 18, 2010

Paula, My deepest condolences for you at this time of sadness and loss. There are just not enough words to express how my heart goes out to you....I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and keep you. Love, Debbie##imported-begin##Debbie Louvier-Gontarek##imported-end##

Anonymous May 17, 2010

It is hard to understand why the Lord would call someone home at such a young age. When I heard the tragic news and remembering William, a verse of Scripture came to mind that I would like to share. The last part of Romans 8:37 reads, "We are more than ##imported-begin##Tommy Carter##imported-end##

Anonymous May 17, 2010

My thought and prayers are with all of you, it is so hard to lose a child or brother no matter what the age, Will is now caring for the young in Heaven and doing all the glorious chores our Father has for him. as HE needed him more than this world##imported-begin##Sandra Walton Watley##imported-end##

Anonymous May 17, 2010

Although I didn't know William, I love his sister Stephanie. He sounds like he was a great man and I wished I would have known him. My condolences to his family and especially you, Stephanie. Love ya, Karen##imported-begin##Karen Laughlin##imported-end##

Anonymous May 16, 2010

I have many memories of William through the many band activities we shared in high school. I regret that I have not seen him since graduation, but what a blessing to read some of the comments made by those who knew him afterward. May the peace and comfo##imported-begin##Jay Givens##imported-end##

Anonymous May 15, 2010

Will, your are with our Savior and I wish you would ask Him to come get us quickly. We'll miss you and your wonderful personality, so full of the joy of the Lord. Hope to see you soon, former Staff member at Coastal Bend Teen Challenge.##imported-begin##Linda Puckett##imported-end##

Anonymous May 15, 2010

Pat and family, we are so sorry, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! Love always, Terry & Tricia Parsons##imported-begin##Terry, Tricia parsons##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

As much as we will miss you here on earth we know we will see you again in heaven. All who knew him now have a new guardian angel watching over them.##imported-begin##Jay Sorani##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

Paula and family-- So sorry for your loss. Praying for the Lord to give you extra strength and comfort in this time. Rest in knowing that he is with his Savior and he has fulfilled his duty on earth. Our love and prayers -- Joyce & Darrell Graffagnino##imported-begin##Joyce Graffagnino##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

Paula, Michael and I were heartbroken when we heard this sad news. Our prayers are certainly with you and all of Will's family. God bless you. We love you. Michael and Vande##imported-begin##Vande##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

All I can say is, when I read the news about William Hardesty. I thought of his smile right away. He had a wonderful smile, we were both in the military together, station on the USS Willamette. I am so sorry for your families loss. He is in a better p##imported-begin##michelle szatko##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

There are those that leave a definate lasting footprint in our lives and William is one that I will never forget. Being his 2nd grade teacher.....always....William had a smile on his face and willing to help those around....even at an early age. Each o##imported-begin##Karolyn Darby Hancock Richardson##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

Have fun with Jesus Will. I'm sure you are in heaven blessing the brothers and sisters of old and new with your dry sense of humor and telling stories useing your famous visual aids. Will thank you for being such a positive influence in my life and helpi##imported-begin##Meg Tully##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

Our most sincere condolences to your family. Will served his country and the United States Navy, performed admirably and was truly a Shipmate. Our prayers are with you and may he rest in eternal peace. Master Chief Jesse Mamangun U.S. Navy, Retired##imported-begin##Jesse Mamangun##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

My heart and my thoughts and my prays go out to Williams family. I remember him from going to Maurceville school and High School Band I was one of those band members I am so sorry for your lost my God Bless him and the family##imported-begin##Rochelle Broussard Ibarra##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

What a handsome man. I can't imagine the pain you are going thru. I am so sorry about William. I pray that God will wrap his arms around all of you and know that he is there for you. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.##imported-begin##Stacy Hawkins##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

Will and I worked together at tc of San Antonio and also Corpus. He was a good friend. He will be missed.##imported-begin##Lonnie,Charlotte,Noah Bear##imported-end##

Anonymous May 14, 2010

To someone who will always be loved, knowing that the Lord will be welcoming you home with open arms. God bless. And may your heart have eternal peace.##imported-begin##Hope Cloud##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Pat, Sherri and Stephanie and families - you will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Know that you are loved by a lot of people.##imported-begin##Linda Lindley Lowrimore##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Had got to visit with him while he was in Jasper. He loved the Lord and his family soo much you could just feel his love when you talked to him. I know he is in heaven. I ask that God give you strenght at this difficul##imported-begin##Sheila Corbello Cowan##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Pat, Sherri, Stephanie and Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers.##imported-begin##Donald & Nina Oldbury##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

May you find peace with the Lord.##imported-begin##Keith ##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

I too, have not seen Will since graduation although, I will remember his smile and that he always had something nice to say to everyone. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. I know you will find the strength in God to help you get through ##imported-begin##Judy##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

My sympathies on your loss. William was a wonderful person. I was in high school band with him and every time I think of him I remember him smiling. Rest in peace dear William.##imported-begin##Stacey Rickert Fedder##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Dear Paula & family, We love you and will be praying for you in this season of loss. Stacie##imported-begin##Stacie Meyer##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Spencer, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. YIS The Gengo Family Joshua 1:9##imported-begin##Jason&Sharon Gengo##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

To the man who told me to never get caught up in the moment, to continually work on my faith. A man who taught me the importance of knowledge, because we are destroyed from lack of knowledge Hosea 4:6 He exemplified love through the acts of John the Bapti##imported-begin##Deborah McGhee##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Will Hardesty is by far one of the best men of God I've ever had the pleasure of serving with. He was a great instructor to me and was an inspiration to everyone who ever heard him speak. We had some great times at Teen Challenge and they will forever hol##imported-begin##Katie Patterson##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Spencer, May God be with you and your family at this difficult time. We are truly sorry for the loss of your father. You are in our prayers. With deepest sympathy, Tom Brzezinski and your brothers at Troop 23##imported-begin##Tom Brzezinski, Troop 23##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

I am deeply sorry for this loss. This truely was a great loss for us and great gain for heaven. His brilliant mind will never be forgotten. I hope you can find peace in knowing he left finger prints on everyone that walked in to the doors of Teen Challeng##imported-begin##Kayla Sam##imported-end##

Anonymous May 13, 2010

Paula and family, We are sorry for your loss and heartache. May you find peace in your time of sadness. You are in our prayers. Mike, Carolyn, Brian, Kari, and Logan Butler##imported-begin##The Butlers##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Pat, Stephanie And Sherrie, Don and I are so sorry for your loss, We too know the pain you are going through at this time. With the help of prayers family and friends each day will become a little easier. Just remember that you are in our thoughts and p##imported-begin##Don and Jennifer Cohenour##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

We consider ourselves among the fortunate ones to have been friends with Will. His love and dedication to GOD and helping others was so awesome. Even though we have not known him long he will forever be in our hearts. He gave me my son back from the da##imported-begin##Sheryl Young/Wesley##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

2 Cor. 1:3: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Paula, we want you to know we love you and know that Papa God is taking care of you, we know He's by your side and He is the giver ##imported-begin##Maurice Garcia Family##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Stephanie, My thoughts and prayers are offered to you and your family during this difficult time.##imported-begin##Tina Rougeau Grogan##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Pat, you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts.##imported-begin##Nita Perry##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to ##imported-begin##Robert Louis Vincent##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

I am so very sorry for your loss. Find comfort in your memories and God. May God's peace engulf all of you and give you rest. I haven't seen William in years but have nothing but memories of the sweetest guy in the world. He always had a smile and someth##imported-begin##Kimm Mayo Benson##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Old friend, You and I shared a lot of good times, and bad times together. We always seemed to make it through the bad times together. This is one of those bad times for me, but in many ways this is a good time for you. I will always think of you as a bro##imported-begin##Kevin and Cary Willey##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

I am so sorry to hear about William, I haven't seen him since graduation but not a day went by that I did not think about him. He was the sweetest guy and a great friend while we were in school, he will be missed by all. Please know that you are in my t##imported-begin##Lana Broussard##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Spencer, I was so saddened to hear that you father William passed away. My heart goes out to you. May god guide you through this tough time. I will keep you in my prayers. Uncle Stephen##imported-begin##Stephen##imported-end##

Anonymous May 12, 2010

Spencer, I truly hope this finds you well and holding up over the loss of your beloved father. I know first hand what a difficult and painful loss that is. I am reminded of the Bible passage that says "Blessed are those that mourn for they shall b##imported-begin##Brandi Harris##imported-end##