William Joseph “Bill” Hawks, 82, died Friday, May 18, 2018. A memorial visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Edgewater Retirement Community in West Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2018 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee where family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Bill was born on the family farm north of Creston on August 2, 1935 to Joseph and Margaret “Madge” (Treanor) Hawks. He was the first child and only son, with four other sisters: Regina, Julia, Mary, and Ellen.
He attended country school through sixth grade, St. Malachy Catholic School, Creston High School and graduated from CHS and Creston Community College and took additional studies at Iowa State and U of I. He was married to Harriette Goeser on June 22, 1957 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa.
Bill was employed with the USDA in the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service for 36 years. He started his career as office manager of the ASCS Union County Office where he spent 17 ½ years before going to the Iowa State ASCS Office in Des Moines where he was a Midwest area trainer and program specialist.
Bill loved the farm, raising cattle and raising crops. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed working the fields, fishing, hunting, golf, playing cards, and all of the children, grandchildren, and family activities. After retirement Bill spent 18 years with Harriette wintering in Arizona. During the summer and fall he enjoyed working for the Urbandale Parks and Rec. Department for 15 years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years and 11 months, Harriette (Goeser) Hawks; children, Dr. James (Margie) Hawks of West Des Moines, Dan (LaRee) Hawks of Johnston, John Hawks of Creston and friend, Kathy West of Prescott, and Kathleen (Steve) Harrigan of Anaheim Hills, CA; nine grandchildren, Tanner and Jake Hawks, Alex and Joe Hawks, Clint Hawks, Brianne, Trevor, Logan and Ryan Harrigan; four sisters, Regina (Bob) Day and Ellen (Ken) Reece of Creston, Mary (Ron) Smith of Shannon City, IA, and Julia (Val) Black of Shennandoah; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Richard (Ellie) Kozal of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Patrick Goeser of Costa Mesa, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Stephen.
The family would like to thank the hospice staff and the staff at Edgewater for the loving and compassionate care they gave Bill during his stay.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or St. Boniface Catholic Church.
