HARTSVILLE - It is with heavy hearts that we write Dad's final story. Andrew William Hawkins (Bill) passed away May 24, 2016. Bill was born in South Dansville on Sept. 19, 1926 to Andrews and Marie (King) Hawkins. He spent his youth in Almond and Canisteo working on his uncle's farm and raising "holy heck" with his brother Jack.

In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country during World War II. He trained at Sampson and served aboard the USS Midway. After discharge from the military service he finished his high school education at Hornell High School. Bill was looking at the school's yearbook when he spotted the picture of Jacqueline Hall. He told his brother that she was the girl he was going to marry. As luck would have it they were introduced a few weeks later and on Feb. 1, 1948 his dream came true when they were married.

In 1953 Bill and Jackie purchased a farm in Hartsville where they raised cows, chickens, sheep, horses and a family. Bill proudly named the 88 acres the 5H Ranch – Hawkins Haven for Happy Healthy Horses. The farm was the site of his girls many adventures and, of course, mischievous deeds.

Bill was a pipefitter at the Erie Lackawanna Railroad shops, GE, and finally M&K. It is said "he came with the building." After retiring Bill and Jackie moved to Florida but returned to New York in 2009 to be close to their daughters. Sadly Jackie passed away in 2012. Bill missed his sweetheart but was comforted by his daughter's daily visits and the friendship of his neighbor Anne Mattoon.

Bill's declining health caused him to spend his remaining days at the VA Medical Center in Bath. His daughters are very grateful for the exceptional care he received from the dedicated staff of the VA (Primary Care, Home-based Primary Care and the Community Living Center Hospice Unit).

Bill is predeceased by his parents, wife Jacqueline, sisters Virginia Ellington, Marilyn Hawkins and Agnes Heers, brothers Lynn, Jack and Lee Hawkins. He is survived by his brother Don Hawkins of Addison and sister-in-law Yvonne Youll of Batavia, his daughters Janice Kerr (Stub Hartman) and Denise (Ken) Walters, grandsons Dominic (Raquel) Mastronunzio of Austin, Texas, Bradley (Rachel) Kerr of Brooklyn, Brett Walters (Adrian Divens) of Bath, and Craig Walters of Tennessee. Bill is also survived by his great grandchildren Kyndall and Ethan Harris of Austin, Daymon and Dakoeta Walters of Bath and Kaylee Walters of Tennessee, plus many nieces and nephews who still recall their days on the farm and being the recipients of Uncle Bill's many shenanigans.

Bill will always be remembered for his unique sense of humor, his love of creating, "reinventing" farm equipment and building furniture and barns from packing crates. It seems lately that most of his projects included vast amounts of Gorilla Glue and, his favorite item, duct tape.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at the Bath National Cemetery at the family's convenience. Then Bill and Jackie will be cast to the winds that gently blow over the hills of the old farm and their hearts will be forever together in Hartsville.

It's been a long journey for you Dad, but now it's time for you to be with Mom again. Thank you for being a wonder father and leaving us with such sweet memories. We are proud to be known as your daughters. We will miss you forever. All our love, Punk and Dinny.

Friends and family may share memories of Bill at www.haughey-woodfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hornell Evening Tribune on May 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Hawkins

Sponsored by Haughey-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home Watkins Glen.

5 Entries

Renee Herzog

June 10, 2016

Like my siblings, the Hall family reunion is a treasured memory, with my dad and Uncle Bill clowning around and making all of us cousins laugh. Although, my dad was more the clown and I learned the humor of sarcasm from Uncle Bill.
Love to the family,

June 3, 2016

The Hall family was blessed to have a kind,funny and special man like Uncle Bill . I will always have special memories of him and Aunt Jackie.Love to Punky and Denice and your family's.

Stanley Hall

May 31, 2016

I owe a lot to Uncle Bill, as it was back in the late seventies when everyone my age was trying to get hired at GE. Bill told me he would put in a good word for me and I was hired and have been working in the shops for the last 37 years. It was always a pleasure to be with Bill whether we were working or just catching up on shop talk. I will miss you Uncle Bill.

Nola Hall Funk

May 30, 2016

I too have great memories of the Hall family reunions. I was shy as a kid, but Uncle Bill always made sure myself and others had a fun time. His terrific sense of humor never failed to make us laugh. As an adult, life did not allow for me to see him much. But, when I was fortunate enough to visit with him, it was obvious that his sense of humor stayed with him. Thank you Uncle Bill for the wonderful memories.

Joe Hall

May 29, 2016

I'll always remember as a very young boy, while at the Hall reunions that took place at the farm in Hartsville, how Uncle Bill would do his best to keep all his nieces and nephews laughing and entertained. He was very successful at both. Years later I enjoyed talking to him during our encounters at the Bath flea market. His always present sense of humor was only one of the many good traits he possessed. He was positively a man to be admired. I was lucky to have had the privilege to call him Uncle Bill. Rest in peace forever with Aunt Jackie.

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