William (Bill) Harder was born in Wisconsin on January 14th, 1948.  He grew up in a small Chicago suburban town with his parents, Russell and Elizabeth, and older brother, Pete.  After graduating from Flossmoor High School, Bill went on to attend college at the United States Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point in New York. He graduated with a degree in Engineering and an Officer's Commission in the Navy and began his travels around the world spending up to a year at sea.

In 1970, Bill met Marie Laux and they were quickly married on May 29th, 1971. They just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. 

Bill and Marie have two sons; Chris born in 1977 and Nick born in 1982 who were both best friends with their father. 

Bill passed unexpectedly on June 4th, 2020 doing what he loved; working on a project for the family that he loved so much.