Although the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad changed hands to Joseph T. Jones, Hardy remained involved as a board member until 1899.
 His election to the Mississippi State Legislature in 1895 kept him at the State Capital in Jackson enough to make involvement with the railroad less possible.
 While in Jackson, Hardy met and married his third wife, Ida V. May, with whom he had three children, William H., Jr., Hamilton Lee, and James Hutchins.
In 1905, Hardy served as circuit court judge for the second district (covering south-central Mississippi).
 When the district split in 1906, Hardy remained as judge for the newly created coastal district until his semi-retirement in 1909.
 For the next eight years, Hardy maintained law offices in Gulfport, Mississippi with his son Toney.

Hardy died of a heart attack at his home in Gulfport, Mississippi on 17 February 1917.
Although the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad changed hands to Joseph T. Jones, Hardy remained involved as a board member until 1899.  His election to the Mississippi State Legislature in 1895 kept him at the State Capital in Jackson enough to make involvement with the railroad less possible.  While in Jackson, Hardy met and married his third wife, Ida V. May, with whom he had three children, William H., Jr., Hamilton Lee, and James Hutchins. In 1905, Hardy served as circuit court judge for the second district (covering south-central Mississippi).  When the district split in 1906, Hardy remained as judge for the newly created coastal district until his semi-retirement in 1909.  For the next eight years, Hardy maintained law offices in Gulfport, Mississippi with his son Toney.
Hardy died of a heart attack at his home in Gulfport, Mississippi on 17 February 1917.
William H. Hardy