William Hawn Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - R. Lee Williams Chapel on Aug. 4, 2024.
William (Will) Hawn died unexpectedly and peacefully at Advent Health July 30, 2024, in Orlando, Florida at the age of 51. His mother was by his side and wrapped in peace with Our Lord and Savior.
Born in West Palm Beach on Valentine's Day of 1973 to his loving Mother; Nancy Hawn Busbee, and Father Allen Hawn. As a young man Will shared his mother's love of horses and he trained and competed in barrel racing. He attended Okeechobee High School where he discovered a love for theater. Theater would eventually become a very huge part of his life and career. He graduated college from Indian River Community College and Valencia College where once again he continued to excel in theater, writing, and live production.
After college, Will moved from South Florida to Orlando and was hired at Universal Studios. Will found a home at Universal and he worked for more than 20 years in the entertainment department as a scheduling manager, scheduling crew members for all sorts of live attractions at Universal. His talents were recognized, and he eventually helped write the scheduling protocols for Universal Japan.
While scheduling duties were extremely important, Will's passion was being involved with "special events' ' at the Universal Studios. He enjoyed production positions as an assistant stage manager, stage manager and project manager for popular productions Fundango, Halloween Horror Nights, Mardi Gras, and The Excellent Adventures of Bill and Ted show. He also worked as a technician early on at the original Alfred Hitchcock Show, And Terminator 2 Show.
Will's production skills were noticed by companies outside Universal and he began working (seasonally) for Nighwatch Entertainment as a producer for the annual Red, Hot, and Boom (July 3rd) event in Altamonte Springs. Along with a crew of good friends he had collected over the years, he produced Red, Hot and Boom for more than twenty years. RH&B was his favorite event, and he was always proud of producing one of the biggest and most exciting Independence Day events in all of Central Florida. RH&B would regularly draw close to 200,000 people, and Will liked to brag that the RH&B fireworks show lasted longer than Disney's.
Will's other passion was writing. Will caught the writing bug from his father Allen. He always was telling his friends that he and his father were working on writing projects, trying to write something good enough to be turned into a screenplay. After his father passed, he wanted to write his Dad's life story, and then also began working with his Mother to write her life story. Will's love for movie writing was more than evident during his huge Oscar parties around a rather large bonfire on his father's property. Will's favorite movie was "Somewhere In Time," with Jane Seymore, and Christopher Reeve. Will also had an amazing memory of movie dialogue. He would always astound his friends with random dialogue, from movies like "Steel Magnolias," "Good Morning Vietnam," and the "The Birdcage." He could practically recite any of those films, verbatim.
In Will's down time, he found comfort and pure enjoyment going to his family's cabin in Michigan that was located on the shores of Black Lake, outside of Onaway, Michigan. While there, he became close friends with the local community enjoying the splendor and solitude of the lake. In the past years he went there, and he found his creative muse while sitting on the lakes shores, while enjoying a nice campfire.
Will was involved with the CFSL within Orlando. He loved to play softball but also loved to manage his softball team "The Homewreckers". He so loved to play with his softball family. And left a huge impression with everyone who graced the field and went on softball trips with him.
Will also made several trips to Key West with his close friends Kym Throm, Diana Miller, Mark Wallace and had an amazing trip to the island of Roatan, Honduras. Where he enjoyed zip lining, snorkeling, and enjoying time by the pool and island life. He once said that trip was one of the most amazing trips he had ever taken.
Will is preceded in death by his father Allen Hawn, his brother Daniel C. Hawn. He is survived by his Mother Nance Busbee Hawn, stepfather Bill Busbee. He is also survived by nephews Daniel Keith Hawn, Tanner Underwood, and Tanner's son Mason. Will is also survived by his uncle Doug Hawn, his cousin Chris Hawn Wood (husband Glen) of Ohio, step sisters April Thornton, and Brandi Busbee Davila, his Cousin Michael (Bongo) Hawn wife Hollie and their daughter Erika Hawn. Also, Will was loved by all of his friends and colleagues here in the Central Florida Community. He will be sorely missed by all that loved him.
Rest in eternal slumber Will!