Edgar Stanton Harding

Early on he developed the same sense of humor as his Irish mother and a commitment to hard work from his English father. He had an adventurous childhood with his brother, Jack. They thought nothing about riding their bikes to Corpus Christi or dragging parts of an airplane from a junk pile to their home over 10 miles away also while on their bikes.

He graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1942. He competed on the swim

team when they won the State competition in 1941 and 1942 and was president of the Science Club. In addition, Ed was a member of the R.O.T.C. and an active Boy Scout attaining Eagle Scout Rank. He met his closest friend, Clem Jilek during high school. They remained best friends throughout life while hunting, fishing and raising their young families.

Mom and Dad knew each other over their entire lives. They lived only a few

doors from each other. They began dating after he returned from serving in

World War II. They spent their courtship years dancing at Medina Lake and Floores Country Store. Frequently, they would coast much of the way home to save on fuel during tight economic times.

He loved to play pranks and early in their dating years he tricked Mom into

firing a high power shotgun that was far larger than she had fired before. She was knocked off her feet but he won the boast to his friends that his girlfriend could shoot anything.

He joined the Coast Guard when World War II was declared. While working on an L.S.T., he made lifelong friends and frequently traveled to reunions with the brave men he served alongside. He was an especially popular mate since he learned to

make a bit of wine while on the ship.

He began working for Southwestern Bell where he stayed for 35 years and retired from ATT in 1981after 31 years of perfect attendance. He was an active member of the Telephone Company Pioneers Association. He served on the Hollywood Park Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years. He was a member of Coker United Methodist for over 20 years.

He was a great father and grandfather, taking his children and grandchildren on many adventures, riding in trail rides, spending summers in Rockport fishing and swimming, water skiing and sailing on local lakes and traveling cross country during annual family car trips.

His retirement years were filled with his many hobbies and interests. He traveled across the USA with the Blue Bonnet Bells RV group and for reunions with his LST shipmates. He made friends wherever he went and never met a stranger. He was able to fulfill his dreams of going through the Panama Canal and visiting the site of the Normandy invasion in France. He traveled to many countries, including Mexico, Central and South America, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Denmark, and Japan.

Ed’s parents and his brother, Jack Leslie Harding preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Billie Milonette Harding; daughters, Patricia Harding Smothers, husband, John E. “Bud” Smothers; and Julie Harding Lang, husband, Frank Oliver Lang III; and his sons, Edgar Dennis Harding; and Paul David Harding and wife, Elizabeth Riggs Harding.

He is also survived by his grandsons Michael Brian Hartman

and wife, Cheryl Jenkines; Coby Walker Harding, Frank Oliver Lang IV and Milo Stanton Lang. He is also survived by many friends and relatives across the country, especially in Washington State and Kentucky.

He was always happy and joking just as he was when “he got away from us” as the Irish say.

He often said, “the sun never sets on a Willis Jeep”.

We’re sure the sun will never set on him.

A service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 4, 2013 at the Coker Methodist Church in San Antonio. Burial will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:30 PM. For expressions of sympathy, go to www.sunsetnorthfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.