Source: http://www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1034518

MSG (RET.) BILLY AUSTIN HARDIN
April 7, 1936 - July 14, 2013

MSG (Ret.) Billy Austin Hardin, 77 of Columbus died peacefully with his family at his bedside Sunday, July 14, 2013.

Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 18, 2013 at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. A private interment will be held in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA.

Billy Austin Hardin, Baptist by Faith, was born April 7, 1936 in Belzonia, MS son of the late Edgar Lee Hardin and Alma German Hardin and a 1955 Graduate of Merigold High School. He retired after 21 years in the U. S. Army as a Master Sergeant and served meritoriously in the Viet Nam War. With over 40 years of Government service; a retired 11 Charlie-Mortar Man and a retired Civil Servant distinguished by various achievements throughout his careers. His achievements varied from being recognized as a “Tank Killer” from training received in 1959 to being qualified as an “Expert Infantryman” in 1962. He also served for the Muscogee County School District as a substitute teacher and was a loyal member of the VFW Lodge on Victory Drive.

The various awards he received during his tour of active duty are as follows: National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal (4th Award); Bronze Star Medal; Vietnam Service Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Two Overseas Service Bars; Army Occupation Medal; Expert Infantryman Badge; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years Valeska Petermann Hardin; daughter, Carol Jones (Edwin); sons, Austin Hardin (Delilah), Edgar Hardin and Roger Hardin all of Columbus, GA; sister, Margaret Shelton of Jonesboro, AR; grandchildren, Harrison Jones, Coleman Jones, Leslie Hardin, Aron Hardin, Jeremy Hardin, Brandon Hardin and April Hardin.

Flowers will be accepted but those so desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 233 12th ST, #710, Columbus, GA 31901.