Howard "Billy" Hawkins

Howard William Hawkins, born December 24, 1946 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to the late Marguerite Hawkins and Jesse Countee. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joanne "Josie" Hawkins. He went home to be with the Lord Friday, May 9, 2025 in New Castle, Delaware.
Howard was known to most as "Billy" due to his middle name of William. He attended Rice's Temple AUMP Church as a child, along with his nine siblings. He was baptized at St. Paul Baptist Church as a young man and was often an attendee at a weekly Bible Study. He visited area churches until his health began to decline in October 2024, due to a stroke.
Billy attended the West Chester Area School District, where he ran track and played soccer. His first job was with Mr. Warner Durnell's Venetian Blind business at the East End of West Chester. He also worked as a Life Guard at the West Chester Community Center, in food services at the Chester County Hospital, a Bartender at the Flat Iron/Christie's Lounge, and Superintendent at The Apartments for Modern Living (aka" Sidetrack"). Billy also spent a period of his life as an actor at the Harambee House Black Arts Spectrum. From 1978, up until his retirement in 2006, he was employed by the West Chester University's Plumbing and Maintenance Department. Following his retirement, he joined a group of other retirees who met quarterly at the Happy Days Diner.
During and after his retirement, he was known as Mr. Fix-it. Billy was the ultimate patriarch. He demonstrated undeniable love for his family – the one he was born into and the one he helped create. He affectionally
referred to everyone as "Love". There wasn't anything he would not and could not do. If he did not originally know how, he would "figure it out and make it work". He was a master creator, artist, organizer and handyman. His skills were unmatched and so were his collection of tools and equipment. Regardless of what was needed, you could always count on Billy to have you covered.
Billy would light up a room with his presence and his smile. You always knew when he was in the house, the yard, or the car. He also loved his animals having had 12 dogs, 5 cats, bearded dragons, fish, a ferret, gerbils, and a piranha. He loved music and had over 1500 albums. He loved to dance and party and hosted great all night back yard "get togethers." His cooking skills included the ability to deliver the best breakfast you ever had. His signature dish was his pancake that he was happy to serve any time of day. He also supported civil rights, activism and the empowerment of Black people.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Tracey McMichael, Joanne Boddy, Chandler Jones (Sacha), Wendy Boddy, and John Boddy, Jr.; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Billy is also survived by sisters, Cheryl Washington, Diane Ridgeway, Denise Hawkins, Cindy (David) Outlaw, and Valerie Jean (Greg) Thomas; sisters-in-law Barbara (Thomas)Rochester, Linda Maxwell, Carolyn (Steve) Bowman, Patricia (Grant) Anderson; brothers, Ronald "Pete" and Robert "Bo" Hawkins; brothers-in-law Raymond (Joan) Anderson and Wayne (Mary) Anderson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His special friends were Walt Reed, Bob Marshall, Stanley Lum and so many more.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Jessie "Sandy" and Mildred "Chinky" Hawkins; sisters-in-law, Marcella Hawkins, Sandra Simpson, Deborah Hayman, Denise and Mira Anderson; brothers-in-law Lawrence, Gary, James, Melvin, Kevin, Richard and Dennis Anderson, John Maxwell, Gerald Ridgeway, Marshall Dozier, and Leroy Washington.
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