Billy Hawkins

Billy Wayne (Hawk) Hawkins was born on January 21, 1948 in Sherman, Texas. He moved from Texas to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 9 where he attended Douglas Elementary, Samuel Ach Jr. High School and graduated from Cour-ter Technical High School in 1967. After High School he was employed by Procter and Gamble and soon after was drafted during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged from the Army after a 3-year tour of duty.
Bill was a fun and loving big brother to his little sisters, helping them to cook on the Easy Bake Oven and taught recipes that he learned to cook while he was in the Army. He was also multi-talented, playing lead guitar with his teenage guy friends and he enjoyed playing the harmonica. He always brought a smile to the family gatherings and was known to the family to love gadgets. If there was a new electronic gadget, Bill was likely to have it; like the radio-eight track tape player that was in the shape of a astronaut helmet. If he pulled your name for Christmas, you were likely to receive at least a six month supply of batteries for that cassette player that he gave you the year before.
Billy “The Hawk” touched many lives and was loved by a huge number of friends in the community. He has mentored a number of young men who are now successful and who credit “The Hawk’s” mentorship to their success. His volunteer coaching legacy spanned over a period of 40 years.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mrs. Sarah L. Boddie Roper. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving companion, Ms. Diane Masters; his father, Jessie J. Roper (Garndenia); his brother, Charles E. Hawkins, Sr. (Dianna); his sisters, Marilyn D. Roper Ghol-ston and Kimberly A. Roper Todd; one daugh-ter, Tecola R. Harrison and three beautiful grandchildren, Christopher, Briana and Brayden and one great-granddaughter, Alayah. He was also a loving father to Earlene Bland (TJ, Deja, DeJon and great-grand, True Journey, aka TJ), Leo Scott, Freddie Masters, Sr. (Fred Masters, Jr.), JaVasha Scott (Nariah and Maleyah) and Charletta Scott (Mariah, Terrence and Kimora); and a host of relatives and friends.