Wallace Floyd Hardin died Monday. He was born in Corinth, MS. and had been a Huntsville business owner since 1966.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Mae Taylor and Tolbert Floyd Hardin; loving wife, Helen Thigpen Hardin; daughter, Beverly Hardin; sister-in-law, Patricia Reynolds; brother-in-law, Keith Thigpen.
Survivors left to cherish his memories are: daughter, Kristi Hardin Brewer (Jeff); sister, Charlene Rutledge (Tommy); brothers, Bill Newcomb (Beth) and Donnie Hardin (Daisy); granddaughters, Tiffany Brewer and Amanda Brewer; great grandchildren, Mackenzie Brewer, Russ Whitlock, and Ensley Landry; Long time and greatly loved friend, Joan Gentry. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Carol Reynolds (Charles); Alicia Conner (Chuck); Gwen Michael (Mike); Marilyn Phillips (Jimmy); Jean Durham (Brooks); Sharon Thigpen and Beth Thigpen (Callie Bell).
Floyd moved to Huntsville in 1955 and established his barber profession with Clarence Carroll at what was then the Fifth Street Barber Shop. In 1966, he purchased the shop.
Later, Fifth Street was renamed Andrew Jackson Way and sometime after that, he relocated the shop and renamed it Jackson Way Styling Salon. Floyd’s loyal service and dedication to his community earned him the affectionate title of “Mayor of Dallas Village”. He generously gave of his time to aid any shut-in by giving a shave or hair cut.
He touched the hearts of many and endeared himself to his community. His unforgettable character and generous heart have touched the lives of all who knew him and his legacy will fondly be remembered. He was a Christian and attended Jackson Way Baptist Church for many years where he served as a deacon.
Floyd was dedicated to many civic and community organizations. He served as a founding member of the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association, and the Optimist Park Gymnasium was named in his honor. He also served many years on the Madison County Barber Board. He was a Charter Member and the longest serving member of the Madison County Alternative Sentencing and Release Commission; member of the Madison County Judicial Commission, and the Madison County Personnel Board; Madison County Public Authority Board member; assisted with the establishment of a County Inspection Joint Board; worked with the city of Huntsville and Madison County in securing funding for many improvement projects in northeast Huntsville; received resolution documents of recognition from former Mayors Steve Hettinger and Loretta Spencer, and was honored with the naming of a road, Floyd Hardin Lane. He was only last month recognized by Governor Robert Bentley as Honorary Colonel in the Alabama Militia. He was very active in local and state politics and served as chairman of many political campaigns.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home. The service will be conducted by Larry Layne Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Mayfair Church of Christ, and friends may visit with family one hour prior to service.
His beloved charity is Partners For A Better World. They built Taylor Tailoring Institute in Pedapudi, India, a memorial to Floyd’s mother, Dorothy Taylor. Memorials may be made to PARTNERS FOR A BETTER WORLD, INC., PO Box 5968, Valdosta, GA 31603, Email: brnewcomb@bellsouth.net
