Bill “Mr. Bill” Hardee, 85, of Orange, Texas, passed away on January 31, 2019, in Port Arthur, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, Texas. Officiating will be Pastor Kevin Brown of First Baptist Church in Mauriceville. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Robeline, Louisiana, on August 11, 1933, he was the son of Johnnie Jeff Hardee and Rilla Rebecca Davis Hardee. Bill worked as a truck driver for Central Freight Lines before retiring. He then went on to work for Market Basket in Mauriceville for over 20 years. He was a member of the Orange #214 Eastern Star, the Bridge City Masonic Lodge 1345, and the Scottish Rights of the Valley of Galveston. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. Bill will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Rilla Hardee.

He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Hardee; children, Jerry Hardee, of Orange, Debbie Wilbur and husband Michael O, of Bridge City, and Ryan Hardee of Plano; grandchildren, Angela J. Beck and husband Jason and Michael J. Wilbur; great-grandchildren, Josalyn Preston, Cristlyn Halbert, Ethan Beck, Alaina Halbert, and Samantha French; great-great-grandchildren, Katalina Preston and Levi Preston; and his fur babies, Peanut, Tinkerbell, and Felix.

Serving as pallbearers will be members of the Bridge City Masonic Lodge.

Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff of the Medical Center of Southeast Texas for all of their care and support.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association at 10900-B Stonelake Blvd. Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759 or to the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA 22215.