Obituary of Joseph Ray Hardwick

Joseph Ray Hardwick, 78, of Louisa, died Wednesday, Dec. 23 in Hamdon Ohio Nursing Home.

Born Aug. 18, 1942, in Fort Gay, WV, he was the first born of the late Ray and Marie Wellman Hardwick. He retired from Romack Construction, was a musician and built musical instruments (Hardwick Banjos). 

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Lynn White; and a sister, Mary Ellen Salyer.

Survivors include three daughters, Mecca (Bill) Stewart of Old Fort, N.C., Kelli Sheppard (Corrine) of Albany, N.Y., and Andrea Batten of Lakeland, Fla.; a son, Joseph Lee Hardwick of Louisa; three brothers, Charles and George Hardwick, both of Fort Gay, and Harold Hardwick of Barboursville, WV; three sisters, Rosa (Robert) Moore of Beaver, Ohio, Anna (Ralph) Wellman of Webbville, and Donna (Gary) Cox of Cardington, Ohio; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. 

Graveside funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m., at Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Charles Hardwick Cemetery, Hardwick Ridge, Fort Gay, under direction of Wilson Funeral Home, Louisa.