Bill Gordon Hawkes

Bill Gordon Hawkes, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025 at the age of 83.

Born on November 1, 1941, at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, Idaho, Bill arrived in the world just a month before the onset of World War II. Though his early years took him across the country, Boise always remained his cherished home. "A lot of good friends, wonderful fly fishing, BSU football and basketball. What's not to like?"

Bill's childhood took him to St. Louis, Missouri, where his father worked as an engineer for Curtis Wright Aircraft Company. During the war, Bill and his mother stayed with her family in Perryville, Missouri. One of his earliest memories was meeting his mother's cousin Joe, a decorated bombardier in the Army Air Corps-a memory that cemented his admiration for those who served.

After returning to Boise, Bill attended Garfield and Washington Elementary Schools, North Junior High, and graduated from Boise High School. He pursued his education at Boise Junior College before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Utah.

In 1964, Bill married Kay Bellier, and the couple welcomed two sons, Christopher and Drew. They lived in places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Houston, Texas, before returning to Boise, where Bill built a fulfilling career. He worked for Gate City Steel before spending 27 years with Honeywell, where he thrived among colleagues he respected. He finished his career at Yamas Controls, surrounded by friends who brought joy to his final working years.

Though life brought its changes, Bill and Kay remained close friends until her passing in 2001. Bill found love again and in 1989 married the "cutest little woman on the planet," Dottie Herrick. Together, they shared an extraordinary partnership filled with love, laughter, and countless treasured memories.

Bill was an outdoorsman at heart, with a passion for fly fishing, a deep love for Boise State sports, and a knack for building lifelong friendships. He was a storyteller, a jokester, and a man who relished life's simple pleasures. His family was his greatest pride, and his happiest moments were spent surrounded by loved ones.

As Bill often reflected, quoting Augustus McCrae from Lonesome Dove: "It has been quite a ride."

Bill survived by his devoted wife, Dottie; His sister, Jeana Hawkes; his stepchildren, Jimmy Herrick, Timmi McCarthy and Kimmi Whipple; His daughter-in-laws, Lisa Hawkes and Laura Martin; son-in-law Jeff Whipple; his grandchildren, Eliot, Katie, and Topher Hawkes, Bryson, Brady and Brett Herrick, Casey McCarthy, Kelsea Overfield, Holland, Megan and Tanaya

Whipple; his niece Claire Moncrief Warnick and an extended family who will carry forward his love and laughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Geneva Hawkes, who guided him on the path to the remarkable life he lived and sons, Christopher and Drew Hawkes.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held in Boise, with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Idaho Humane Society in Bill's honor.

Bill's kind heart, adventurous spirit, and enduring love for those around him will be deeply missed but forever remembered.