WILFORD HAWKINS JR.
Obituary
Wilford C. Hawkins Jr., 95, passed away
on Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2018) surrounded by his family at his Andover
home. He was born Jan. 27, 1923, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Wilford
C. Hawkins Sr. and Flossie Merideth Hawkins. On Sept. 28, 1943, he
married Merle Chapek at Meridian, Mississippi, and she preceded him
in death on Aug. 3, 2007.
Wilford proudly served his country
during WWII in the United States Army.
He was graduated from Trevecca Nazarene
College and Vanderbilt University, both in Nashville, Tennessee.
Wilford was a retired administrator at
the former United Methodist Youthville in Newton. He was a longtime
member of Salem United Methodist Church in Newton and in recent years
had been attending First Nazarene Church in Wichita.
Family was important to Wilford and he
greatly looked forward to spending time with them, and enjoyed
following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities. He
could often be found relaxing reading a favorite book; he especially
enjoyed historical novels and biographies. First and foremost,
Wilford loved his family and was a man of faith in his Lord, and he
continued daily Bible readings and studies throughout his life. He
kept up on current events and politics going on in the world,
following his beloved Fox News through the day. Wilford was a huge
Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and enjoyed watching Nebraska football.
He is survived by his two daughters:
Laurie (John) Garrison of Andover and Alisa (Rob) Roberson of Bel
Aire; and one son, Darrell (Jan) Hawkins of Alexandria, Kentucky. He
is also survived by six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and
several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; wife; daughter, Sherrie; brothers, Marion and Kenneth;
sister, Voncille; and great-grandson, Connor.
Military graveside service will be 2
p.m. Friday (Feb. 16, 2018) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, with
Chaplain David Benevides officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m.
Thursday (Feb. 15, 2018), with the family receiving friends from 6 to
8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are
suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior
project, both in care of the funeral home.
