Lionel Hawse

1942 - 2025

Lionel Anthony Hawse was born on April 3, 1942 to Laverne and Phyllis Hawse in Davenport, Iowa. He grew up in Rock Island, Illinois and graduated from Rock Island High School. He attended the University of Iowa and the University of Kentucky, graduating with an accounting degree. He was a proud alumnus of the University of Kentucky College of Law, Class of 1967. In 1965 he married the love of his life Eleanor Louise Congleton. Together they raised their two boys, Alan and David Hawse, in Lexington, KY. Lionel practiced law for thirty-five years first at Landrum Patterson and Dickey and eventually at Woodward, Hobson, and Fulton. He was of counsel at Dinsmore. Following his retirement he was a Donovan Scholar at the University of Kentucky and became a Master Gardener. Lionel loved the time he spent with his grandchildren be it fishing in the creek, building a project, gardening or tubing on the lake. Lionel was most at peace early in the morning in his garden or on the lake with his fishing buddies, friends, or family. He passed peacefully in his sleep on October 29, 2025 a mere twenty-four hours before his beloved wife, Ellie. He is survived by his sons' families Alan, Jill, Anna, and Nicholas Hawse and David, Beth, Michael, Thomas, and Kate Hawse. Lionel was a long-time board member of the YMCA of Central Kentucky and the family asks for donations to be made there in lieu of flowers.