After graduation from NLU with a degree in Business, he began his 50+ year career as a homebuilder in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1964 he returned to his hometown of Monticello and continued his homebuilding business and opened his own building supply store. He then moved his building business to Little Rock and was a successful homebuilder there for the past 27 years.
He was an active member of the Home Builders Association and served on local and state Boards of Directors many years and was a national committee member on the NAHB Rural Housing Committee. He felt that home ownership was a right of every citizen and fought and lobbied Congress for rural Arkansans to have the same right to own a home as everyone else.
Billy served the people of Monticello as a member and Chairman of the Drew Memorial Hospital Board, a member and President of the Monticello School Board, and as a member and President of the Chamber of Commerce.
He was also a cattle rancher and enjoyed time on his farm. He had a huge personality and never met a stranger. He always had a good story to tell, usually about the good old days. He had many interests: gardening (which he shared with his daughter), competitive games such as dominoes and horseshoes, all sports, and was a World War II buff.
He also helped organize and enjoyed attending the reunions of the class of '50 and he especially enjoyed the morning coffee meetings at the church with his friends.
Billy was saved and joined the First Baptist Church at the age of 11 and was still a member at the time of his passing. He loved the Lord and was ready to meet his Savior with lots of questions. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Vivian Hartness, and his two children, Tracy and Dinah Hartness.
Billy loved his family and is survived by his wife of 24 years, Brenda; a daughter, Lisa Gibson and husband Cliff of Monticello; a son, Mark Hartness of Monticello; a step-son, Justin Keener and wife Leigh of Little Rock; four grandchildren, Joy Gibson Sills and husband Adam of Jonesboro, Chad Gibson of Springdale, Drew Hartness of Monticello, and Paige-Taylor Hartness of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and two step grandchildren, Laura Beth and Harrison Keener of Little Rock; one brother, Larry Hartness of Lake Village.
Condolences(33)
BOB BOYD
ATLANTA, GA Friday, April 18, 2014 I AM NOT SURPRISED TO READ SO MANY NICE THINGS ABOUT BILLY. MY MEMORY OF THIS FINE MAN GOES BACK BEFORE 1950. MY MOTHER TAUGHT HIM IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I THINK MY FATHER HAD HIM IN COLLEGE ALSO. BOTH THOUGHT THE WORLD OF HIM. MOTHER ONCE TOLD ME THAT BILLY HARTNESS WOULD BE A VERY SUCCESSFUL PERSON. HE WAS AND HE WILL BE REMEMERED BY MANY PEOPLE.BOB BOYD
David Shirey
Sebring, FL Tuesday, April 15, 2014 Billy was a good man always enjoyed working for him and around him. You might not always agre but at the end of the day he was still a good friend. And to all the famliy I still have and take pride in that old yellow tractor he was so good to sell me many years ago.Shelby Williams
Little Rock, AR Monday, April 14, 2014 Mark Hartness & Family,Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sam Savage
Conway, AR Monday, April 14, 2014 Brenda, Hate to hear of Billy's passing. I always thought of lot of Billy and you. Glad you had so many years together. Sam and DanaAlvin and Irma james
Monticello, AR Saturday, April 12, 2014 Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Billy will be missed.Leslie Pomeroy New
Cadiz, KY Saturday, April 12, 2014 Dear Lisa and Mark,I am very saddened to hear of your dad's passing. I was so touched to see him two years ago at Barbara and Ed's memorial service as it had been many years. It brought back wonderful childhood memories of Pomeroy and Hartness get togethers. I'm truly sorry for your loss and I know how much you will miss him. I am confident Ed will be very happy to have his lifelong friend back. Love and prayers,
Leslie
Fred & Joyce Higgins
Delhi, LA Saturday, April 12, 2014 You are in our thoughts and prayers, may the Lord comfort you during this time.LaNell McKiever
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 I have always respected Billy professionally and as a cousin to mychildren. It mentioned him as a builder in Monticello, so I would like to say he took the time and put people in homes that never could have owned a home if he had not cared enough to help them. He really did think that in America people should be able to own a home and he definitely helped Monticello and its people and started several sub-divisions. He was a good man.
Judy and Butch Selig
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 We are so sorry for your loss. Billy was a fine person who will be greatly missed. May God's love bring you comfort and peace.David Wm.Smith
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 So sorry for the loss of Mr.Billy. He was a kind and honorable man and will be missed greatly!Kermit & Christine Farris
Little Rock, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 Brenda, I am so sorry to hear Billy passed. We will be praying for you and the family. If I can help you in any way please let me know.Judy Houser
Little Rock, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 May God wrap His loving arms around your entire family at this time of loss. Praying for you all!Sharon Norris Gouy Arab
Hot Springs, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 My sympathies to the family on Mr Hartness' passing. He built my first house and employed my ex husband . He was a good man.Bishop Sam Wherry
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 The Life and Legacy of Billy Hartness of Monticello, Arkansas is one of the most Honorable, Distinguished and Historic Entities of the Lower Mississippi Delta/Mid-South Region of the United States of America. This most remarkable man taken upon his shoulders with his most remarkable spouse during the Mid 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's via Hartness Lumber & Hardware teaming with the Honorable James T. Jordan (Mayor) and transformed Monticello, Arkansas from a city under 5000 in population with all sub-par third world housing and infrastructure in all ethic cultures into the best HUD standard brick veneer single family housing city wide all four wards for Upper Middle/Middle(Wards 2 & 4) and Moderate/low income(Wards 1 & 3) eliminating any/all dilapidated housing/infrastructure in the city of Monticello making it the role model rural city in the Mid-South Region. Billy Hartness was one fine Christian Gentlemen who loved and cherished Monticello and his work and service during the period of racial transitions/integration and equalization he set the standard for all communities in Arkansas. Billy Hartness, James T. Jordan, Charles F. Dearman are the legendary entities who ushered a new arena of First World Amenities in the Rural Sector that gives validity and enhancement why the United States of America is the most Innovative, Influential Powerful and Wealthiest Nation in the History of Man/Woman kind. Billy Hartness Champion among Champions in the Lower Mississippi Delta and Mid-South.Bruce Brown
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 Our thoughts & prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss.Donnie F West
206 Lake front Trinity,, TX Friday, April 11, 2014Billy and I grew up together. He was like a brother to me. We had many good times playing football in high school. He will be missed by all of us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Donnie and Jo Ann West
Rick Donham
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 Lisa & Mark,you are in my thoughts and prayers....
Susan Holbert
Little Rock, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 Billy will be greatly missed, warmly remembered, cherished forever and never to be forgotten by anyof us!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time!
Our deepest Sympathy,
Steve, Susan and Hayden Holbert
Bobby Gilliam& Margaret
Shreveport, LA Friday, April 11, 2014 Our Prayers are for Billy & all his family & friends and teammates at Monticello High School her was a very good football player and In Collage.
We are sorry we can not be there
Michelle Mitchell
Little Rock, TN Friday, April 11, 2014 Brenda, I am so sorry to hear that Billy has passed. You two had a lot of years together. I recall meeting Billy a few times over the years I have known you. He was always very sweet to me--a true Southern Gentleman! May God bless you and Billy's family.Kim Montgomery
Monticello, AR Friday, April 11, 2014 Lisa, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.I want you to know that I'm praying and thinking
of you and your family during this tough time,
Sending lots of love.
God Bless~
Kim M
Dorothy McWhorter
Bedford, TX Thursday, April 10, 2014 Billy had three families; religious, immediate, and the MHS class of 1950.He loved all of his families. He loved people.
We will treasure the many phone calls from him during our time of grief over the loss of a loved one. He always referred to these calls, "Just checking to see if you are o.k."
These calls never stopped because he never stopped caring.
For over sixty years he was instrumental in keeping the class in touch and simply relished the class reunions to the extent he never missed a one of them. He and Brenda opened their home to many of these reunions.
Not only will everyone who knew him feel a loss but this Nation will also suffer the loss of one of its finest: a former member of the United States military.
becky peacock wright
monticello, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 Mark sorry to hear about the passing of your dad may god give you peace and understanding cause god will always be with youAnn Rabb Curry
Warren, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 So sorry to hear about Billy, I enjoyed working for him at the savings and loan, he loved his family dearly and was a hard working man.May God give his family extra strength at this time.
Love to the family.
Ann Rabb Curry
Joan (Reynolds) Middleton
Kingwood, TX Thursday, April 10, 2014 Billy was a special classmate and friend. Ready to help and share a laugh.I will miss his friendly smile and conversation.See you later old friend.
Joan Reynolds Middleton (Class of 1950)
Drew Hartness
Monticello, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 He taught me many things in life. Taught me how to use a gun safely,hunt,drive a manual transmission,tractors,and many other things.We didn't always see eye to eye,but we never failed to reach a reasonable agreement.
He taught me that holding on to the past was a common mistake,but could be a harmful one as well.
He always knew how to make someone smile at the worst of times.
You will be forever loved and forever missed.
Drew Hartness
Monticello, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 We share memories that no one else will ever share. He was a great grandfather and a great man.He always told me,"Smile. It takes less energy than a frown."
Jane Erwin
North Little Rock, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 My Bill thought so much of Billy and so did I. He was a nice and encouraging person, seemed to love everyone and was indeed a great host for the class of 1950 reunions. My thoughts and prayers go to Brenda and his loved ones. I think we made all the reunions except one when we were out of state because of the air force. He will be missed especially by the 1950 class.Pat Savage Montgomery
Monticello, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 I am so very sad to hear about this. I have many fond memories of Mr. Billy. He has been a good long time family friend and was such a wonderful person. We all will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please let me know if I can do anything. Love you all.Dr Russell Bulloch
West Monroe, LA Thursday, April 10, 2014Have known Bill for some 60 yrs. Knew his previous and present families and my sympathies are extended to all. May he now rest in peace.
He was an organizer and kept us all informed about our high school class of 1950. He will surely be missed as well as all of our departed friends of the above class.
Dr Russell Bulloch
West Monroe, LA Thursday, April 10, 2014A very good friend for 60 yrs. Have known his previous and
present family for same time and my sympathies and prayers
is extended to all of them.
Bill was an organizer and kept our class of 1950 well informed
through out all this time.
He and all of our departed classmates will be missed
Ralph Mcknight
Kingman, AZ Thursday, April 10, 2014 We will always Remember him with love .Janice McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Thursday, April 10, 2014 I am so sorry to hear about Billy's death. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this sad time. Billy was a good friend to all and a part of our family as well. We loved his dad, mom, Larry and Billy and were also neighbors. May God surround you with his loving arms to give you peace and comfort in your loss. With love & sympathy, Janice GLADDEN (Wiggam) McAllister