William (“Bill) H. Hardacre, born December 25, 1931 to Flora (Rayl) and Wilber Hardacre, died May 11, 2014 as the result of a massive heart attack. At an early age, Bill became involved in the family business, Best Ever Dairy (East Side Jersey Dairy) as a hop boy at age 13.
After graduating from Anderson High School in 1949, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University. From 1952 through 1954, he served in the United States Army in the Korean War in the accounting division. Returning to Anderson, he joined the Best Ever Dairy staff as Treasurer, during which time the family business grew from a hometown operation to a business covering Central Indiana, and south as far reaching as Evansville. Retiring after 35 years of service in the dairy business, Bill continued with the development of the Creedmoor condominium & housing area, as well as developing many commercial buildings. He also started the E.V.I. electronic vehicle manufacturing company which is now based in California.
Bill was an active member of the Anderson First United Methodist Church, where he was Lay Leader for 21 years and during such time also served as delegate to District Conference, as well as District Lay Leader. He was a member of the Board of Laity for the North Central Conference and the District Commission and Ministry. He and his wife, Ann, are associate members of the North Webster United Methodist Church.
Through the years, Bill devoted much time and effort to the Anderson community. He was a board member and past president of the Christian Center, board member and past president of Harter House, and a past president of the Fine Arts Center. He was a board member of the Isanogle Center, past president of the Evening Exchange Club, a member of the Noon Exchange Club, and helped organize the Community Foundation. He served on the boards of trustees of Anderson University for 15 years, and was an active member of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1989, Bill took on the task of evaluating the feasibility of restoring the historic Paramount Theater Center, after which The Paramount Heritage Foundation was then formed, where Bill served as its first board president and was currently on the board of directors.
Bill received numerous awards including: The 1984 Chamber & Commission Sunshine Award; 1992 Rotary Award for Community Service; 1994 Mayor’s Chief Anderson Award; The Paramount Star Award for Volunteer Work; 1995 Junior Achievement Award; the Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Anderson University; the William Reithmiller Service award; 1995 Anderson Business Hall of Fame; 1998 Anderson Herald Bulletin Person of the Year; 2003 Indiana University Alumni Club of Madison County Distinguished Service Award; 2008 Madison County Bar Association Community Service Award; 2011 Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award; 2012 Inducted into the Anderson Community Hall of Fame; 2013 Elma A. Funk Ideal of Service Award; and 2013 The Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash.
Most recently, Bill was named Co-Chairman of the Ivy Tech Project and was looking forward to leading that project for the betterment of Anderson and surrounding communities.
Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann (Harmeson) Hardacre, a brother, Jerry Hardacre (Carol) of Anderson; Step-mother, Martha Hardacre of Anderson; 2 step-brothers & a step-sister, Halford McLaughlin of Anderson, Jim McLaughlin (Sherry) of Noblesville, and Charlotte Baker (Cliff) of North Carolina; Sister-in-law Ida Mae Harmeson of Melbourne, Florida; nieces and nephews Lisa Swinford (Gregg) and family of Spring Hill, Tennessee; John Hardacre (Kim) and family of Cicero; Tom Harmeson (Sherry) and family of Zepherhills, Florida; Todd Harmeson (Shawn) and family of Pendleton; Marci Wuttke (Rick) and family of Fountaintown; Dr. Philip Marshall of Portland, OR; Cristy LeMay of Melbourne, Florida; Neil Harmeson (Kim) of Melbourne, Florida; Beverly Wright and family of Houston, Texas; David Hardacre (Sheryl), Lori Swanson (Tim) ; and Amy Stohler (Ron) and families all of Anderson.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lowell Hardacre and wife Carolyn; 5 uncles and 4 aunts and spouses; and 2 nieces, Barbara Kessler Saph and Nancy Marshall.
Calling hours will be Wed. May 14, 2014 from 1-8 p.m. at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service and on Thurs. from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Anderson
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Jeff Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Paramount Theater Heritage Foundation located 1124 Meridian Street, Anderson, IN 46016; or the Anderson First United Methodist Church located at 1215 Jackson Street, Anderson, IN 46016.