William Judson 'Judd' Hardee, 73, Dies in Snow Hill

William Judson "Judd" Hardee, 73, died Saturday, June 6, 2026, at his home in Snow Hill.

Born Oct. 28, 1952, in Pitt County, Hardee was the son of William Earl and Janie Peaden Hardee. He served in the U.S. Army after high school and worked in maintenance at Cherry Point until his retirement.

Hardee collected old Pepsi bottles, match covers and Civil War memorabilia. He followed NASCAR and drag racing, fished, hunted and worked on cars. Friends and family remembered his humor.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Whitley Hardee of Snow Hill; five children: Teresa H. Gillaspie and Kevin of Davenport, Iowa; Alisha H. Riggs of New Bern; William Judson Hardee Jr. and Dawn of New Bern; Wendy Jones and Donald of Snow Hill; and Michael Ervin Jones and Shauna of Snow Hill.

His 12 grandchildren are Megan Helg, William Judson Hardee III, Destiny Rowe, Keltsy Hardee, Collin Gillaspie, Matthew Gillaspie, Memphis Hardee, Manny Hardee, Gary Rowe Jr., Olivia Riggs, Sadie Hardee and Amy Lynn Vick. He also is survived by six great-grandchildren.

His sister Wanda Wiley of New Bern and brothers Timmy Hardee and Christie and Jamie Hardee and Vickie, all of New Bern, survive him. His parents and brother Fred Hardee preceded him in death.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Eastern North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro. Chad Wells will officiate. The family receives visitors at 675 Highway 58 South, Snow Hill.