We have lost another historic leader. The North Beach Volunteer Fire Department is sad to announce the passing of Life Member and Former Fire Chief Billy Hardesty, who passed on May 29 at the age of 79.

For nearly 60 years, Chief Hardesty served the Twin Beaches community, and in fact great swathes of Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties as Company 1 was due to a large part of Southern Maryland during his tenure. He joined the Department in the late 60s, and as a natural and commanding leader, quickly rose through the ranks. He reached the ultimate rank of Fire Chief, training and grooming several generations of NBVFD leaders.

Even as he got older, Hardesty continued to contribute to protecting the community as an apparatus driver. If you called for the Fire Department between 2010 and 2022, the former Chief was better than one-in-three to be at the wheel when we arrived. His personal awards include the Heroic Conduct award (our highest citation) and multiple Life Save awards. In 1995, Hardesty was inducted into the Calvert County Fire Rescue Hall of Fame.

Beyond his service as a line officer, Hardesty was also known as a prolific fundraiser for the Department. In four decades as the firehouse bingo caller, Hardesty was a consistent fixture in the caller's box, such that they bore his initials at the top. The Department estimates that his fundraising likely delivered more than $1 million to the Department, much of it during a time when we relied on those funds to field critical equipment.

The streets of Heaven are too full of angels tonight. Rest easy Chief, we'll take it from here.