On April 29, 1930, Willie and Ethel Harden were blessed with the birth of their loving son, Willie Robert Harden. At the age of seven, Willie, who was affectionately called "Bill" or "Billy" by family and friends, came to Baltimore, MD with his uncle, Tom Young. It was at this time that Billy moved into the wonderful home of Tom Young's brother, Elijah and his wife, Ella, who eventually became his surrogate parents, "Mom" and ''Pops''. Billy attended Baltimore Public Schools, and at the age of 21 he decided to serve his country militarily so he joined the Army. As a result of an honorable tour of duty, Billy received the following medals: Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Billy is a member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 8509. Following serving his country, Billy became employed by Bethlehem Steel Company, Sparrows Point, MD where he served as a Brick Mason for 38 years. Billy's friends who worked with him describes him as a "hard worker", whom everyone loved, and they all called him "Stoney". Over the years, Billy had a great desire to acquire skills to perform many different types of "handy man" jobs. He was very proud of his abilities to watch, observe intently and then practice and practice until he had perfected the trade. Billy enjoyed painting rooms, doing maintenance work on cars, covering floors with carpet, as well as, carpentry. One of Billy's greatest LOVE was gardening. At one time Billy and his friend had a small vegetable farm. He loved when spring came, because, it was then time to go and plow the land to begin the gardening season. In his backyard, Billy even grew tomatoes and they were the most delicious tomatoes, better than the ones sold at Giant Super Market. In recent years, Billy and his gardening partner, had to down size their gardening to a garden in Druid Hill Park. Billy's other LOVE of course, was cooking Soul Food, particularly, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and collard greens. Yummy! Yummy! Everyone knew that Billy loved people; he loved helping anyone who was in need. Billy helped to care for, not only his parents when they became ill, but he also assisted in caring for his uncle, aunt, cousins, friends and neighbors. Billy realized early in his life that he was a blessed man and that God loved him. Over the years Billy's health was really good. He never had a serious illness requiring an operation or being hospitalized. Billy was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Baltimore, MD, Prince Hall affiliate. At an early age Billy became a Christian and joined Allen AME Church, where he was a member for many years. Billy was pre-deceased by his biological parents, Willie and Ethel Harden, his surrogate parents, Elijah and Ella Young and is survived by cousins, Lelia Mac Pope, Lonzella P. Brice,( Pernell), Lula Mae Johnson, (Hakim Saleem), Leroy Praileau, (Muriel) and a very dear friend, Evelyn Floyd, and a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Sunday, July 20, 2014 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Monday, July 21, 2014 10:00 AM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral to begin @ 10:30 am Directions