William "Bill" R Hawkins

Bill joined the Navy following high school and graduated from Howard College in 1949. He had a career with BellSouth and AT&T, retiring in 1987 after 32 years. He also had his own income tax business from the 1970s until 2024; and volunteered with AARP doing taxes for the elderly.

He was married to his wife Beth for 74 years. He was a loving husband and a wonderful father to three girls, a grandfather to eight grandchildren and to 8 great grandchildren.

Bill was very involved in his church at First Baptist Church, Trussville and previously Eastside Baptist Church. He served as a deacon for many years and later as deacon emeritus. He volunteered in the church nursery, went on mission trips, volunteered with Meals on Wheels and sang in the church choir. He provided transportation to church for many people who could not drive and was a blood donor, giving 19 ½ gallons of blood over his lifetime.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Melanie Manzella (Al); Cyndi Winslett (Mike); son in law, Ken Corcoran; eight grandchildren, Christina and Angela Manzella, Blake, Josh, and Zach Corcoran, Drew, Tyler and Hannah Winslett; eight great-grandchildren, and one on the way. He joins in heaven those who preceded him: wife, Beth; daughter, Beverly; infant son, Billy; parents, Clarence and Pauline Hawkins, brothers Edwin and Mixson Hawkins and sister, Mardell Dell.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Trussville, February 25, 2025, at 1:30, followed by memorial service at 2:30.

Donations can be made to the Joyful Heart Singers at First Baptist Church, Trussville or to Acta Theater, Trussville. A special thanks to the church family at First Baptist Trussville, and to special caregivers, Gwen, Thomasina, Cynthia and Nora.