Bill Hardman was known as a pioneer in Georgia’s tourism industry and a visionary who ensured the Georgia World Congress Center was placed in Atlanta.
“In my opinion the World Congress Center’s name should have been shared with Bill,” says Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, a commissioner for the Georgia Public Service Commission. “He was a man with a vision, and with that vision he had persistence. He didn’t let anything get in his way.”
Hardman was appointed the first tourism director of Georgia in 1959 by Gov. Ernest Vandiver, and in 1973 he lobbied state lawmakers for a $30 million appropriation to fund the construction of the center and to place it in Atlanta.
“He was enthralled with his profession,” said his son, Bill Hardman Jr. “That became a lifelong passion for him. I think the single most thing that you could say about dad was that he had a genuine love for people. I think one of the things often heard about dad, when he was talking to you, he was talking to you and absorbing everything in the conversation.”
In 1983, Hardman played a crucial role in developing the Southeast Tourism Society and in 2002, he was inducted in the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame.
He was a U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II and attended Piedmont College and Mercer University.
Retired publisher of Southern Living Magazine Bud Flora served with Hardman on the Southeastern Tourism Societies board of directors and said Hardman put Georgia on the “map” when it comes to tourism.
“When I became publisher of Southern Living, I didn’t know a whole lot about the tourism industry and Bill took me under his wing,” Flora said. “It’s just amazing what the man has done. He’s been a mentor to me all these years. Just a go, go, go all the time. He was the original Energizer bunny.”
Former CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Spurgeon Richardson said Hardman had a direct influence on his life and that he truly changed the face of tourism in Georgia.
“He was full of passion, enthusiasm, he was hard working and had an idea a minute,” Richardson said. “He had a love and passion for (his career) until the day he died. He changed the face of tourism in Georgia.
Billy “Bill” Thompson Hardman, 87, died Friday near his home in Dahlonega of heart complications.
The Dahlonega Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and his funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Dahlonega United Methodist Church. A reception will follow at the Cottrell Circle C Ranch from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dahlonega United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 455, Dahlonega, Ga., 30533.
In addition to his son, Hardman is survived by his wife Helen Fincher Hardman of Dahlonega; his daughter, Mary Escoe of Cumming; his sister, Margie Bramlett of Winterville; two step-sons, Stuart Fincher and Joel Ficher, both of Cleveland; his step-daughter, Sharon Fincher Lee of Cleveland; six grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
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