Ulysses Glen "Butch" Hardwick, 74, of mile-marker 123 in Bryant, went to be with our God in Heaven on Friday, August 19, 2011. He was born March 9, 1937, in Sasakwa, Oklahoma, to Guy and Lucille Hardwick and was the second oldest of four children. In his early adult years he served in the U.S. Navy where he also played baseball. From the Navy, he was scouted to play Triple A Ball for the then Kansas City Athletics—now the Oakland Athletics. Butch was a truck driver for over 30 years and retired in 2001. He enjoyed his many years on the road and since retirement has enjoyed making trips to visit family and friends as often as possible. His love of baseball has continued throughout. His favorite baseball teams have been the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. He LOVED the Oklahoma Sooners – especially Sooner football. He was also a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Guy and Sarah Lucille (Gaines) Hardwick; one brother, Don Hardwick; a step-daughter, Carie Middleton; and grandson, Camron Bradshaw.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Leato (Ott) Hardwick; two daughters, Kerri Hardwick Bradshaw (Roy) of Coweta, Oklahoma; Chrystie Hardwick Bennett (Dale) of Bryant, Arkansas; a son, Stanley Kevin Hardwick (Lynn) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two step-daughters, Cindi Rogers of Mobile, Alabama and Connie Motl of Mabelvale, Arkansas; one step-son, Craig Middleton of Hutchison, Kansas; two sisters, Charlsie Durrett of Charleston, Arkansas, and Cleta Hoffman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Beau Bradshaw (Candy), Audra Bradshaw Peterson (Daniel), Ethan Bennett, Colbi Rebecca June Hardwick, Ryan Rogers (Michelle), Justin Castleberry and Jonathan Motl; six great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 21, and a Celebration of Life will be at 2p.m. Monday, August 22, at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant. To sign online guest book visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to your favorite charity.