William Orrin Hawkins

William Orrin Hawkins, age 64, passed away peacefully, after a courageous battle with brain cancer, on Sunday September 29, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.He was born at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City , South Dakota to Blair and Juanita Hawkins. He graduated from Poway High School, CA in 1973. He enrolled in the New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, NM. He received a Senior ROTC scholarship and continued his education at New Mexico State University , Las Cruces, NM. He received a business degree and then entered the Army in February 1978. He received many medals- Meritorious service medal, Joint Service and Army Commendation medals, Army Achievement medal with 3 - oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve medal, parachutist badge and Army Aviation badge.He had plenty of hobbies- he was a huge fan of metal detecting all over Europe and the UK, a huge fan of Texas holdem poker, a huge history buff of WW1 and WW2 , walking marathons and he built and flew his own hot air balloon.Our Heavenly Father took him Home!!!