Dr. William Ralph (“Bill”) Hardcastle, 78, of Atlanta, passed away April 22, 2018. He was born September 19, 1939, and is preceded in death by his father, Woodford Hardcastle, and mother, Eleanor Hardcastle. Dr. Hardcastle graduated from North Fulton High School and received his Bachelor’s and M.D. degrees from Tulane University and Medical School, respectively. At Tulane, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and played on the varsity tennis team for four years, including on the 1959 national championship team along with his brother, Bob. Dr. Hardcastle served two years as a U.S. Air Force Major and medical doctor in the Republic of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Returning home to Atlanta in 1971 he began private practice as a General Surgeon and faithfully served his patients for over 45 years. Dr. Hardcastle held several leadership roles at Dekalb Medical Center during his career, including Chief of Staff, Chief of Trauma Service, Chief of General Surgery and several committee chairmanships. He was also active in numerous medical and surgical associations, including serving a term as President of the Medical Association of Georgia.
One of his true passions outside of the operating room was as team physician for the Marist High School football team. Dr. Hardcastle became a fixture on the sideline at every War Eagle football game for over 40 years standing ready to be the first to care for any injured player. In 2004 he was inducted into the Marist Blue & Gold Athletics Circle.
Dr. Hardcastle is survived by his children Christine (John) Drossos, Billy (Tisha) and Cindy Blair, and his brother Bob (Joanie). Among his greatest sources of pride were his three children and seven grandchildren, to whom he was known as “grandpa” or “doctor grandpa,” Alex, Maddie and Angelo Drossos; Brooks and Will Hardcastle; and Kendall and Carson Blair.
The family will host a visitation Thursday, April 26, from 5:00-7:00 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe, 4550 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30319.
A funeral mass celebrating Dr. Hardcastle’s life will be held Friday, April 27 at 10:00 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, with a reception to follow.
Dr. Hardcastle will be laid to eternal rest in a private family ceremony alongside his parents at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Dr. Hardcastle to Marist School, 3790 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30319; (770) 936-6424; www.marist.com/page/giving/make-a-gift
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