William “Butch” Wayne Hardin Sr., age 88, passed away peacefully on April 6th, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He is now reunited with his Peachie, whom he shared nearly 58 years of marriage with and deeply missed.
Butch was born on January 15, 1938, in Corinth, Mississippi, in the family home on their farm, to Ervin William and Lou Annie (nee. Bercham) Hardin. He attended school in Corinth before moving to Wisconsin, where he built a life rooted in hard work, family, and community.
On May 14, 1960, he married the love of his life, Jeanette ‘Peachie’ Puck. Together, they created lifelong memories of family, laughter, and the outdoors.
Butch worked at American Motors/Chrysler, retiring at the young age of 49. A man of many talents, he did roofing and built both of his homes in Racine and Adams-Friendship with his own hands. There was truly nothing he couldn’t fix or build. He lived with the belief if you weren’t up before the sun came out, you were “burning daylight,” …a phrase he wouldn’t let you forget in his house.
Butch and Peachie spent many cherished years in the Northwoods in the home they built together, enjoying time with family and friends snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and boating. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and a gifted gardener who generously shared his abundant harvests. To say he had a green thumb was an understatement. The farmer in him never faded; he loved having his hands in the dirt.
Music was another of Butch’s passions. He played in several country western bands over the years, most recently with the Roadside Ramblers, and continued playing guitar well into his early 80s.
He was active in his community, serving as past president of the Racine Snowmobile Club and coaching his son’s Mitchell Elementary 5th-grade softball team, where they made it to the championship game.
In 2016, Butch and Peachie moved back to Mt. Pleasant to be closer to their children. He remained deeply proud of his Southern roots, making his final trip home to Mississippi in 2019 with his daughter and son-in-law. Butch was especially known for his love of Southern cooking. His fish fries were a family tradition, featuring catfish and hushpuppies. He was also equally proud of his homemade cornbread and biscuits.
Butch is survived by his children, Mary Jean (Jim) Shack and Bill (Sandi) Hardin; his brother, Jim Harden of Arizona; his special niece, Dorothy Loy, whom he loved dearly as a sister, and her husband Rev. Stephen Loy; brother in laws Richard Puck and James (Gloria) Puck; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Peachie; and his siblings J.D. (Sarah) Hardin, Ruthie (Pearl) Killough, Lillie (James) Patterson, Beatrice (Ernest) Woodall, and Kenneth (Janet) Hardin; and sister-in-law Pat Puck.
He is also lovingly remembered by his faithful companion, his “best buddy” Mac, who brought him great comfort and joy in his final years. His last words were, “Take care of my buddy.”
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial donations may be made to Hope Safehouse, in honor of the special bond he shared with Mac. To make a donation please visit H.O.P.E Safehouse’s website https://hopesafehouse.org/donate/. The link will take you to their Venmo and PayPal addresses. You may also donate by mailing a check to HOPE Safehouse, 1234 Lathrop Ave, Racine, WI, 53405, or by phone for credit or debit cards
262-634-4571
A celebration of Butch’s life will take place on April 14th at 11 am at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant, WI, 53403, with Rev. Stephen Loy officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 am. Following the service, an entombment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park.
