Born in Los Angeles, California, Hardy was a Captain in the United States Army Field Artillery during World War II, from 1941 to 1946.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in 1947 and a Bachelor of Laws from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona in 1950.
He was an assistant state attorney general of Arizona from 1957 to 1959, returning to private practice in Phoenix from 1959 to 1966.
[1] On April 2, 1980, Hardy was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona vacated by Judge Walter Early Craig.
Hardy was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 21, 1980, and received his commission on May 23, 1980.