William O. Hawk Jr.

Bill was born on July 8, 1936, in Kingsport, TN and grew up there. He married Emma Lou Cox in 1957. They raised two daughters in their South Knoxville home. He started his college education at Duke University, taking a break for military service in the Air Force, and finishing his education at the University of Tennessee in Electrical Engineering. He worked at KUB for 33 years, where he met many who would become lifelong dear friends. As a committed and faithful Christian, Bill was a church and choir member throughout his lifetime starting at Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church, South Knoxville Baptist Church, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, and CrossWalk Community Church. After the death of his first wife, Bill married Diana and greatly enjoyed his long retirement years with her and his new extended family.

Bill was a man of deep unwavering faith, sharing his faith with everyone he met. He was a nature lover, a talented artist and whittler with a beautiful bass voice and enjoyed reading books, photography, birding, hiking, and biking. The Lord blessed him with many gifts and talents, a true Renaissance man.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nelle and William Hawk; siblings, Clyde Hawk (Marcelle), Brud Hawk (Louise), Virginia Parham (Troy), Wanda Flint (Kimball); son-in-law, Rusty Spargo; step-son-in-law, Tim Alleman; and his adoring first wife, Emma Lou Cox Hawk.

He is survived by his loving wife, Diana Oakes Hawk; his daughters, Laura Nelle Hawk Spargo and Linda Rachel Hawk Battocchio (James); his grandsons, William Ryan Spargo (Leslie) and William Anthony Battocchio; his step-children Tonya Alleman, Donnie Collins (Lisa), and Shana Dowlen (Mark); his step-grandchildren Briana Blankenbeckler (Jackson), Christopher Alleman (Jordan Zahn), Joshua Collins, Madeline Collins, Addyson Dowlen, Alaina Dowlen; his step-great-grandchild Rowan Blankenbeckler, and many precious nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will meet Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville for a 10:00 AM Interment Service officiated by Pastor Ryan Randolph. A time for visiting will be held from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at CrossWalk Community Church at 2131 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 with a Celebration of Life to begin at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be considered to: Sacred Ground Hospice House, 1120 Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918 (sacredgroundhospicehouse.com) or CrossWalk Community Church at 2131 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Hawk family at www.berryfuneralhome.com