WILLIAM "BILL" NICHOL HARDIE

May 12, 2023

William “Bill” Nichol Hardie, formerly of Kincardine, died peacefully, with his family by his side, at Princess Court, Dryden, Friday, May 12, 2023. He was 91. Born March 7, 1932, in Hawick, Scotland, he was the son of Walter and Isabella Hardie. He has a younger brother, George. Bill grew up in Hawick where he enjoyed his school mates and activities, including biking/camping trips as far as Loch Ness with friends, summers at his grandparents in Damside, and all of what the Scottish Borders had to offer. He received his amateur radio licence and at the age of 14, he began his electrical apprenticeship with British Electrical Repair. He went on to do his service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Scotland and England. He was a radio operator VHF DF while in the RAF. He enjoyed his time bringing planes in from all over the world to land safely. At the end of his service he was asked to stay in the RAF but he wanted to get his apprenticeship finished so he could pursue his dream of moving to Canada. He met and fell in love with his wife, Jesse, in Hawick and together, they decided to move to Canada and were married. They had their first child, Susan, in Canada, May 8, 1958. A few years later, they moved back to Thurso, Scotland, where they had another baby girl, Lynne, Oct. 6, 1961. It wasn’t long before Bill wanted to return to Canada; so he and Jesse did, with their two little girls in tow – first, a quick stay at Wabush, Labrador, then Dryden, Ontario. After putting in a few years at the Dryden Paper Mill, Bill moved to Kincardine, taking a position and becoming Chief Union Steward with Ontario Hydro. At this time, he set up home with his new partner, Tess, where he lived until moving back to the Dryden area six years ago. Throughout his life, he was an avid amateur radio operator, making contacts all over the world, contacting countries that are no longer considered countries and assisting in emergency services within the amateur radio spectrum, where he was a life member. He enjoyed travelling to Scotland every few years and was a collector of both coins and stamps. Predeceased by his parents, Walter and Isabella Hardie; first wife, Jesse, in 1986; tragically, his daughter, Susan Hardie, in 2009; and long-time partner, Tess, in 2009. He is survived by his brother, George; daughter, Lynne (Phil Slack); grandchildren, Matthew Micek, Chelsea Winkler, Jordan Micek, Brooke Flamand-Forth, Jesse Flamand and Zach Flamand; great-grandchildren, Keirsten, Evee, Isla and Honour; and special dog-friend, Solomon. A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at the Kincardine Cemetery, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at 2 p.m. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Health Centre, Oncology Department, or the Alzheimer Society of Canada; arrangements entrusted to the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, Kincardine; www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com.