Willim R. "Bill" Hawkins, 93, of Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019, at his residence following an extended illness.
He was Baptist by faith and a member of Little Sand Mountain Church.
Mr. Hawkins was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lizzie Mae Ward Hawkins; parents, Roy and Lizzie Owens Hawkins; sons-in-law Norman Early and John Crane; and brothers, J. R., Shorty, Carlton, and Leon Hawkins.
He was a retired textile worker and farmer. Prior to this, Mr. Hawkins served his country as PFC 2nd class in the U. S. Army Infantry during WWII; suffering life threatening injuries for which he received the Purple Heart Medal. He has been gifted with the Quilt of Valor from the local VFW Ladies Aux., who gave their time and talent to make handmade quilts for our veterans; and also a handmade throw, from Hospice of Chattanooga, to show their appreciation for our service men and women.
Surviving are his daughters, Sandra Early and Joyce Crane; grandchildren, Stacey Tudor, Lisa (Craig) Sanford, Leigh Ann (Nick) Smith, Tasha (Lester) Jenkins, and Kaela Hayes; great-grandchildren, Whitney, Garrett, Austin, Ansley, Breanna, Coleson, Brady, and Emery; sister, Vernice Stoner; brother, Bobby Hawkins; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
We, as a family, want to thank Floyd Home Health of Summerville, Floyd Heart Failure Clinic, and Hospice of Chattanooga for taking such good care of Daddy; with special thank you to his nurse, Tiffany and bath aide, Charmanee; they are all kind and wonderful ladies.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 9, at 4 p.m. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. David Romine officiating. Interment will be in Little Sand Mountain Cemetery with the American Legion Post #5 Shanklin-Attaway Honor Guard rendering Military Honors. Active pallbearers will be Stacey Tudor, Craig Sanford, Lester Jenkins, Ron Carter, Jerry Mixon, and Gene Gilbreath. Honorary pallbearers are friends from Dirt Town Deli and special friend, Charles (Wormy) Payne.
The family will receive friends Sunday, June 9, at the funeral home from 2-4 p.m.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. William R. (Bill) Hawkins.