Luther Holland Hardin

A Memorial Service and Celebration will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Chisholm Trail Museum (101 Chisholm Trail, Cleburne, TX 76033) with Christopher Bohon of Pathway Church, officiating.

Bill was born in Thurber, Texas on March 1, 1923, to Luther Joseph Hardin and Mary Vila Mace Hardin. He grew up in Ranger, Texas where he attended school and later joined the Army National Guard (a World War II Veteran) achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. On February 1, 1947, while serving in the Army, Bill joined the Fort Worth Police Department, where he helped establish the Texas Narcotics Officers Association. After a distinguished career with the Fort Worth PD, Bill retired in 1988, and without missing a day of work, immediately joined the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office until his 2nd retirement 1995. Bill had to take a vacation day from the Sheriff’s office to attend his retirement party from Fort Worth PD. But retirement was never going to be part of Bill’s life, as he then immediately joined the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for the last 28 years. In total, Bill served the people of the Great State of Texas as lawman for over 76 years – the longest active serving lawman in the world. He was also involved in the Masonic Lodge of Joshua for 60 years, Elks Lodge and was a lifelong Baptist.

Bill and his first wife, the late Nettie Lois “Jo” Corder Hardin were married until Jo’s death on November 8, 2008. Together, they had son, James Lawrence Hardin and daughters Teresa Hardin Mullins and Jennifer Hardin.

Bill is survived by his current wife, Wanda Zollinger Hardin; daughter Jennifer Hardin, brother Darrell Hardin, Grandchildren: John Wesley Hardin, James William Hardin, Matthew James Bohon, Mark Richard Bohon, Christopher Michael Bohon and Emily Teresa Gale, and many great-Grandchildren and many great great-Grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his 1st wife, Jo; son, James Lawrence Hardin, daughter, Teresa Hardin Mullins, brother Bud Hardin, and sisters Wanda Hardin Rouse, and Betty Hardin McClure.

Donations may be given to Chisholm Trail Museum.