William Ray Hawkins

William "Billy" Ray Hawkins of Suffolk, Virginia, 89, passed away peacefully in his home on March 1, 2026. He was the son of the late, Willie V. and Sadie E. Ray Hawkins, originally of Bertie County, North Carolina.

Billy was born and raised in Suffolk, Virginia on York Street in Hall Place. He was a graduate of Suffolk High School, Class of 1956. In 1959, he married his wife, Virginia Anne Brinkley Hawkins and they raised their two daughters, JoAnne Hawkins Roy and Susan Ellen Hawkins Epperson. Billy worked for the Virginia Highway Department, now known as the Virginia Department of Transportation for several years before pursuing a dream of farming. Billy and family raised livestock for many years. Billy became an insurance manager for Home Beneficial Life Insurance, now known as AIG, where he retired. He was the former president of the National Association of Life Underwriters. His final work adventure was his true passion, where he managed the Avon Pier on Hatteras Island, North Carolina for ten years. Billy was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a former member and past president of Triangle Hunt Club. Billy never met a stranger and had a story for everything.

Billy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Virginia Anne Hawkins; daughters, JoAnne Roy (Steve) and Susan Epperson; grandchildren, Jesse (Kerri), Ashley (Mike), David (Brittany), and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Jace, Jemma, Hartley, Josie, and Abel. He is predeceased by his son-in-law Mark Epperson.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 2 PM at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St, Suffolk, Virginia. Condolences may be offered at www.RWBakerFH.com.