Obituary of William J. Hawkins, Jr.

WILLIAM JOSEPH HAWKINS, JR. December 7, 1931 – February 20, 2010 William J. Hawkins, Jr. passed on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Vancouver, Washington. William Bill was born on December 7, 1931 to Aileen Kelly and William Joseph Hawkins in Atlantic, Iowa. Bill was educated at schools in the south side of Chicago and attended Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, Indiana where his mothers influence and spiritual upbringing led him to his calling to try and become a catholic priest. He then attended some of his education through the University of Maryland. He spent 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, much of it as a sea going Marine serving as Admiral Gally's personal aide, and later as an Embassy guard at the American Embassy in Rabot, Morocco. This is where he met and married Odette P. Amaru in 1953. Bill and his young bride and new baby then returned to the United States where he finished his military career. Bill was quite an entrepreneur, starting as a district salesman for the Ford Motor Company Philco Division he soon became the district manage and was transferred to the Northwest. He and Odette settled and raised their three children in the Gresham area where they were very active in the Catholic Church. At the age of 44, Bill moved his family to Maui, Hawaii where he developed, sold, and managed Condominiums. After leaving Maui, he volunteered for the U.S. Peace Corp and was posted in Cameroon, Africa. Bill then returned to the Northwest to be near his family. Always active in his community he was a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Eagles and was elected and served as a Port Commissioner for the Port of Camas/Washougal. Even in retirement he was a fixture in the community and could be seen sitting in the sun outside of his apartment greeting everyone who walked by. Bill is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Johnson of Camas, and Christine Caster of Corvallis, Oregon; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was so proud of his daughters; every time he would introduce his daughters to someone he would always introduce them as Elizabeth the nurse, and Christine the school teacher. Even when he was in the hospital and the doctors were asking him his symptoms he first had to introduce his daughters as the nurse and school teacher. He is also survived by his estranged wife Odette Hawkins. His son Patrick preceded him in death in 2006. His life will be celebrated on Thursday, February 25 at 3pm at Straub's Funeral Home in Camas. Private burial with military honors will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Memorial donations can be given to the VFW Post #7824 @ PO Box 873669 Vancouver, WA 98687-3669. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.