Roll Call Tribute

William Allen Hardin 

November 15, 1942 - September 29, 2024 

My name is William "Allen" Hardin. I was born November 15, 1942, in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.

I am married to the former Sharron Wilson, a native of Quanah. We have been married since August 20, 2003. I have a daughter by a former marriage, Melody Sue Hardin of Austin, Texas, two stepdaughters Suzann Tramel and Jenna McGill.

I moved with my mother and father to Polk County, Arkansas when I was 10 years old. I was president of my junior class, senior class, student council, and Future Farmers of America. I lettered in basketball four years. I graduated from Hatfield High School, and later attended one semester at Texas A&M University.

I served on active duty in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged from the Inactive Reserve in 1968. My first Law Enforcement experience was as Assistant City Marshall of Hico Texas, I started to work for them on July 28th, 1965. I became a Game Warden Cadet on June 19th, 1967, and moved to Granbury in February of 1968. I worked as a Game Warden here until April of 1979 when I became a Lake Ranger for Brazos River Authority. I was employed as Bailiff for the 355th District Court in June of 1990. I took office as Constable precincts 3 & 4 January 1st, 1993, until December 31st, 1996. I took office as Hood County Sheriff January 1st, 1997, and served in that position until December 31st, 2004. I was the first Republican Sheriff in Hood County since reconstruction days (1870's). I was the last Sheriff of the old millennium and the first of the new millennium to actually live in the jail as Sheriff's are supposed to.

I was semi-retired, self-employed, and carried a commission as a Fire Marshall until December 1, 2007. On December 17th, 2007, I was employed as an Environmental Crimes Investigator for the Health Department and the District Attorney carried my law enforcement commission, as of 2/15/18 I let my commission go and retired from active law enforcement. I held a Master Peace Officers Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. I held a Peace Officers license.

I served on the Granbury City council for two terms. I was a member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years and served as Chief for one year. I was one of the organizers of the Hood County Volunteer Rescue Unit and was elected their first interim president. I served one year as vice-president of the Metroplex Locksmith Association. I am a member of American Legion Post 278, in Granbury, and the Hood County Amateur Radio Club. I was one of the organizers or the first Lutheran Church in Hood County. I am a member and elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Granbury. I have never been arrested nor convicted of a crime, even a class "C" misdemeanor.

I opened Hardin's Locksmith service in 1989; it was incorporated as AAGH. Inc. in 1990, the corporation was dissolved in 1999 and again began to operate, as HARDIN'S (a sole proprietorship). I became a licensed Manager in October of 2004. I am a Licensed Septic System Installer (class II) and a OSSF Designated Representative.

Graveside Services with military honors will be held Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas.