William Harden Obituary

Harden, Dr. William J. Dr. William J. Harden, former CPS Director of the Board of Education's Bureau of Health, Physical Education and Safety passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, December 13, 2018. He was born in his Woodlawn Neighborhood Chicago home on February 21, 1934. After graduating from Englewood High School, he entered into Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA) where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, graduating in 1956. While at Southern, he played both football and baseball. He excelled academically, was involved in many campus activities, and was initiated into the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (1953). In 1956, he began teaching with CPS before being drafted into military duty with the United States Army in 1957. After an honorable discharge in 1959, he returned to the CPS Board of Education where he taught and coached basketball, football, and golf for 11 years at Harrison High School before becoming a League Supervisor in 1970. In 1972 he became an Area Supervisor at the Board Central Office in downtown Chicago. Throughout his time teaching and coaching he continued his studies in education, earning a Master of Education from Loyola University Chicago and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to his love for learning and quest for higher education, he enjoyed time doing the play-by-play in the broadcast booth, during the football season, with Sportscaster Bob Greenberg on WBEZ-FM radio station. He often spoke of the late Bob Greenberg, who was blind, as one of the best radio sportscasters and compared him to a sportscaster he listened to growing up named Bill Stern. In 1976, Dr. Harden became the Director of Health, Physical Education and Safety for CPS, becoming the first African-American appointed to this position in the city of Chicago. After serving nearly 40 years with the CPS Board of Education, he retired. During his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife "Jenny", engaging in lively discussions with his daughters, reading, and playing golfthe most thrilling of his hobbies. William "Bill" Harden was preceded in death by his parents, William and Madora (nee Sumner) Harden; an older brother, who died shortly after birth; a sister, Henrietta Harden Marshall; brother-in-law, Maurice Justin; and niece, Deborah Washington Davis. He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Geneva (nee Justin) Harden; daughters, Shawn Marie Harden and Dr. Shellie Maria Harden; a sister, Ann Harden Barnes; sisters-in-law, Elaine Washington and Germaine Harding; and brothers-in-law, Adrian Justin (Jacqueline) and Andrew Justin (Dr. Jacqueline); nieces, Madora Younger (Excell), Diane Carlisle (Tommy), and Dr. Eve McCarthy-Norman (Randy); nephews, Michael McCarthy (Debbie), Harold Washington, and David Washington; cousins, Barbara Penn (Dr. Nolan) and Hubert Harden, Jr. (Emma); and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A viewing will be on Friday, December 21, 2018 from noon until 6 p.m. at Cage Memorial Chapel, 7651 South Jeffery, Chicago, IL. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018, with a Wake at 9:00 a.m., Reflections and Resolutions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, 1526 E. 84th Street in Chicago, IL. 60619. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter 220 West Huron Street, Suite 4003, Chicago, IL. 60654.