Abraham Billy Hardee, Jr., age 56, of Winter Haven, passed away on Monday, July 04, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ, due to injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident.
Born Abraham "Billy" Hardee, Jr. in Lakeland, FL, on August 12, 1954, to parents Vera Mae Gundy Hardee and the late Abraham Billy Hardee, Sr. He grew up in Pierce, FL. He attended Mulberry High School, where he was a football standout. After graduating from Mulberry High in 1972, he earned a scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (VA Tech) in Blacksburg Virginia. While attending Virginia Tech, he ranked nationally in interceptions and established a reputable career which placed him on the 1975 National Independent All-Star Football Team.


Upon graduating from Virginia Tech, he began his professional career with the National Football League, where he played for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. He finished his career with the NFL in 1977, and then played with the Canadian Football League from 1977 - 1982. He returned to the States to join the United States Football League where he played for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars. He retired from professional football in 1987, with the dissolution of the USFL. As a professional football player, he was a starter for the New York Jets and a two-time All-CFL pick for the Toronto Argonauts.

Billy returned to Virginia in 1986, and began volunteering with the Montgomery County School system in Christiansburg, Virginia as a football and track coach. In 1987, he returned to Virginia Tech to acquire his Master's degree in Sports Management and Educational Leadership. While pursuing his degree, he worked as a graduate assistant football coach with Head Coach, Frank Beamer, for the 1987 and 1988 football seasons.


After acquiring his Masters degrees from Virginia Tech, he returned to Polk County, where he pursued a career in education. He worked as an administrator at Winter Haven Senior, Boone Middle School, McLaughlin Middle, Denison Middle School, Jewett Academy Middle School, and completed his tenure with Lake Region High School. Coach Hardee volunteered with the Lake Region Thunder football team for 6 years. He also coached with the Blue Devil football team at Winter Haven High School for 5 years and the Boys Basketball Team at Weber University for 4 years. His athletic prowess earned him inductions into the Mulberry High School Hall of Fame and the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Deborah Carter Hardee, three daughters, Valerie Hardee Belfon (Dr. Ahmad Belfon) of Toronto, Ont, Vera Hardee and Victoria Hardee of Winter Haven, FL, and one son, Dr. Abraham III (Dr. Sofia Hardee) of Christiansburg, VA. Mother, Vera Hardee, Pierce, Fl. Two brothers, Ronald Hardee,(Beverly) Miami, Fl and Raymond Hardee of Pierce, FL; three grandchildren: Carter and Kennedy Belfon and Amina Hardee. Three aunts, Mae West, Dorothy Clark and Rosa Bonney and a host of , uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. One adopted son, Anthony "Bodie" Houston (Gwen), one adopted daughter, Kemi Ashimi, and one Goddaughter, Taylor Welch.


Services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM at First Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Ave R., Winter Haven. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at First Missionary Baptist Church Life Center, 200 Ave. R, Winter Haven.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Coach Billy Hardee Football Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be mailed to 2935 Plantation Road, Winter Haven, Fl. 33884.