William R. Hawkins, 75, Lincoln, died peacefully at home on Thursday (8/14/08). Bill was born in Beatrice, Neb. on January 8, 1933 to Tom and Pearl Hawkins.
He was a star athlete at Beatrice High School graduating in 1952 and was selected the Journal Star High School Athlete of the Year for the State of Nebraska. He received a full football scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mary A Holmstrand, on October 11, 1953. (His favorite pillow has the quote ‘A Fisherman lives here with the catch of his life!’)
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Bill started at the University of Nebraska in the fall of 1952 and then left to serve in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War where he was stationed in Germany. Bill reenrolled at the University of Nebraska in the fall of 1955 and was a starter in football three years. He was selected Academic All Conference two years. Bill lettered in track three years and was track captain two years. He was President of the University of Nebraska “N” Club his senior year.
After graduation from Nebraska, Bill was head football coach, Athletic Director and teacher at Plattsmouth High School from 1958 to 1960. In 1959 he was selected to be an assistant coach for the South Team for the first Shrine Bowl game of Nebraska.
Bill went into the Life Insurance business in 1961 and spent 33 years with Lincoln Mutual Life reaching the executive position of Vice-President of Agencies. During this time, Bill and Mary attended 33 top producer conventions at premier resorts in the United States, Canada and Mexico including six trips to the Hawaiian Islands.
Bill was involved with the Shrine Bowl of Nebraska for many years and was elected president in 2003. He was involved in selling corporate advertisements, banquet sponsors, program advertisements, t-shirts, and caps and was in charge of program sales. He respected everyone who helped make the Shrine Bowl a success because all the profits go to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals and patient transportation fund. He relished his trips to the Minnesota Clinic where he saw the joy of his efforts in the faces of the children who were helped by the Shriners during visits with the Shrine Bowl Team members.
Since retirement in 1998, Bill and Mary have spent each January and February in South Padre Island, Texas. They enjoyed walking the beach, golfing and fishing. The best times were when their children and grandchildren would visit. Bill and Mary enjoyed spending as much time with their children and grandchildren as possible. Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and gardening so that he could share his vegetables with his neighbors and friends. Bill and Mary have been volunteers for Tabitha Meals on Wheels and Lutheran Food Pantry for many years. They have been members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church for 42 years.
Bill was a member of: Master Mason Hickman Lodge 256; Scottish Rite Valley of Lincoln; Sesostris Shrine Lincoln; Sesostris Shrine Bowl Club; Royal Order of Jesters Court 118; American Legion Post 3; Life Member University of Nebraska “N” Club; University of Nebraska Alumni Association.
Bill is survived by Mary, his wife of 54 years; sons and daughter-in-laws, Bill Hawkins II, Malcolm; Tim and Jan Hawkins, Orange, Calif.; Jeff and Ioula Hawkins, Houston, Texas; Steve and Julie Hawkins, Lincoln; daughter/son-in-law, Chrissy and Kenny Sowell, Gulfport, Miss. Surviving siblings are his sisters, Darlene Dopps, Mason City, Iowa; Betty Johnson, Peru, Ill.; and brother, Tom Hawkins, Beatrice. He is lovingly missed by his grandchildren, Dr’s Lindsey and Clifford Alprin, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Erik and Cooper Hawkins, Houston, Texas; Spencer and Skyler Hawkins, Lincoln; and Scout Sowell, Gulfport, Miss.
Memorial Services, 10 a.m. Monday (8/18/08) at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1015 Lancaster Lane, Lincoln 68505 with internment to follow at Wyuka Cemetery, 3600 ‘O’ Street. A Fellowship luncheon will occur afterwards at St. Andrews.
Visitation will be at Roper and Sons Mortuary, 4300 ‘O’ Street, 68510, on Sunday (8/17/08) from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation fund or to the St. Andrews Memorial fund.