W.T. Hardwick passed from this life on March 23, 2018, at the age of 93. He was born in Burnsville, MS, on March 27, 1924, to the late Napoleon Hardwick and Edna Gober Hardwick.  He had been a resident of Memphis, TN, since 1949. He retired from Memphis Area Transit Authority after 30 years of service.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Ethel Mae Hardwick, his wife of 59 years. He was married to Mary Siler Hardwick for 13 years, until her death in 2017. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, David Hardwick, Barto Hardwick, and Gober Hardwick; and two infant sisters. He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Hardwick Smitherman, and son-in-law, Tracy, also of Memphis; granddaughters Shannon Edge and Stacey Barry (Russell); five great-grandchildren, Russell Barry, Kylie Mae Barry, Macy Barry, Chase Edge, and Jacob Edge; and a brother, Cecil Hardwick.

Mr. Hardwick served in the United States Army during World War II. He was captured during the invasion of France in June of 1944, and was a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated on April 14, 1945. In 2014, he traveled back to Normandy, France, for the 70th anniversary of D-Day with four generations of his family.

Mr. Hardwick was a faithful member of the church of Christ. He served as an elder for the Getwell congregation from 1969 until his death. He loved the Lord and his family with all his heart. He was a good friend. He spent his time serving others and his kind and gentle spirit was a blessing to everyone who knew him.

The family will receive friends Monday,March 26,2018 from 5 PM until 7 PM, and Tuesday, March 27,2018 11 AM until noon at Forest Hill Funeral Home East. Funeral services will be at noon on Tuesday, March 27,2018 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Forest Hill East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spiritual Sword journal published by Getwell church of Christ or to Forever Young Senior Veterans.