Willie ‘Coon’ Hardy

Arnaudville – Funeral services was held Thursday, January 25, 2024 at a 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville for Willie Hardy, age 87, who passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 at his residence, surrounded by his loved ones.

Interment was in St. Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. The Rev. Travis Abadie, pastor of St. Francis Regis Catholic Church, officiated at the services.

Musical selections was provided by Laura Huval.  The songs will be Amazing Grace, Au Ciel, Ave Maria, On Eagle’s Wings, and Be Not Afraid.

Readers were Holly Wenzl and Keisha Hyatt. Giftbearers were his granddaughters, Kimberly Hernandez, Felicia Olander, Kayla Ardoin, Bethany LeBlanc, and Maggie Bourque.  

Willie was a native and lifelong resident of Bayou Portage. He had a career that spanned many years as a cook on dredge boats, which he did until his retirement. He was a parishioner of St. Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville. Willie was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening and picking pecans, which he did until his last week. He never passed up a chance to eat good food. He was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather and will be remembered for his strong family values. He leaves his family with beautiful memories of his wit and the strong example of love he set for them. 

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, who he adored, Grace Lalonde Hardy; five children, Carol LeBlanc (Ed), Michael Bourque (Trish), Bryan Bourque (Allison), Lisa Kaelin (Phil), and Bradley Hardy (Lisa); fourteen grandchildren, Holly Wenzl (Daniel), Bethany LeBlanc, Zachary LeBlanc (Shawn), Michael Bourque, Jr. (Stephanie), Willis Bourque (Erica), Douglas Bourque (Lindsey), Dustin Bourque, Felicia Bourque-Olander (Matt), Kimberly Hernandez (Matt), Maggie Bourque, Keisha Hyatt (Seth), Kayla Ardoin (Travis, Monica Mouton and Bradley Hardy, Jr. (Katrina); twenty-two great grandchildren, Ashlyn Vitte, Dalex Wenzl, Camryn Theriot, Caden Theriot (India), Collin Theriot, Gavin Richard, Zoey LeBlanc, Zayda LeBlanc, Hazel Wiley, Michael Bourque, III, Brayden Bourque, Owen Bourque, Annabelle Bourque, Adira Olander, Omri Broussard, Laurie Rentrop, Gracie Rentrop, Charlie Rentrop, Wyatt Ardoin, Mark Bonin, Chasidy Bonin and Chris Guidry; and four great-great grandchildren, Indy Theriot, Layah Viator, Zaniyah Briggs and Zayton Briggs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn Hardy and the former Leonore Robin; two brothers, Dolphy Hardy and Wilsey Hardy; four sisters, Mathilde Noel, Eleanor Cloteaux, Mildred Theriot and Noelie Courville; and one great grandchild, Nora Hernandez.

A rosary was recited at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home by Janet Hollier and Barbara Hebert.

The family requested that visiting hours be observed from 10 a.m. until service time on Thursday.

Pallbearers were Michael Bourque, Bryan Bourque, Bradley Hardy, Michael Bourque, Jr. Bradley Hardy, Jr. and Zachary LeBlanc. Honorary pallbearers were Willis Bourque, Douglas Bourque and Dustin Bourque.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff of UHC, especially Dr. Deidre Stelly who lovingly cared for him. In addition, special thanks goes to Acadian Home Health and Heart of Hospice for their compassion and support. 

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.melanconfuneralhome.net.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.

(Pd.Adv.)