Rennie William "Bill" Hardy

Rennie William “Bill” Hardy of Jacksonville, FL was born August 3, 1942 in Valdosta, GA to Daniel Luther Hardy Sr and M Eunice Hardy. He passed peacefully on November 7, 2024 in Pittsboro, NC at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his brothers and sisters, Daniel Hardy Jr, John Wayne Hardy, Emma Laurie Smith, and Margaret Booth. He is survived by his daughter, Brandi Plants (Rick Plants) and two grandsons, Devin Plants (Breonna Plants) and Griffin Plants, as well as his nieces, Janet Scott and Ellen Hardy, and his nephew Terry Smith. He also leaves behind multiple generations of great-(and great-great-) nieces and nephews, who loved their Uncle Rennie dearly. 

Bill grew up in Valdosta and started working as a DJ at WJEM at age 16, after being recruited by JC Johnson. Once he graduated high school, he joined the army, where he served for 3 years in the Army Security Agency. Then upon returning stateside, he resumed his gig as a DJ—this time at WVLD—and it was through the airwaves that he met his first wife, Molly Huckaby Hardy, whom he married in November 1965. As soon as he completed his BA in History and Political Science studies at Valdosta State University (then Valdosta State College), they moved to McLean, VA and he joined the CIA, where he continued to work (at a variety of posts across Asia) until he retired to Jacksonville, FL in the early 1990s. He and Molly had one daughter, before later divorcing in 1978. Eventually he married his second wife, Alice Wong, in the early 1980s, though they also amicably parted ways by 1988. 

As someone who spent decades of his life in Asia, Bill started collecting Chinese and Japanese porcelain and in that time accumulated a vast knowledge on the subject, including the various porcelain marks. After retirement, he could often be found browsing antique shops up and down the east coast, making many new friends in the antiquing community while looking for his favorite patterns. He also spent time doing appraisals, regularly answering questions on Asian arts from collectors and sellers, and helping with translations and mark identification for several books on the subject. 

Bill was especially thankful to his friends and neighbors in the Jacksonville area, many of whom he considered an integral part of his family. He is fondly remembered by the many lives he touched throughout his journeys as a thoughtful and interesting soul, who always had a story to share or a joke to tell. His towering presence will be missed by all who knew him. 

A graveside service is planned for the afternoon of November 23rd at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens in Valdosta, GA. Additional details to be announced soon.