Willard "Bill" Hawkinson, age 84, passed away peacefully at his son and daughter-in-law's home in Warba, MN on Sunday January 26, 2025 to be eternally with his LORD.

Bill was born in Hibbing on November 10, 1940 during the Armistice Day storm. He grew up in Togo, MN and attended school there. He married his school sweetheart, Joan Rostvit on Oct 19th, 1957 at the Togo Chapel where they enjoyed 48 years together. Bill and Joan lived most of their married life in Bear River, MN where they raised their four children and then in 1980 they added three children to their family through adoption. During their years together they also provided a loving home to many foster children. Their home was always open to their many friends and family who could stop at any hour and would be welcomed in for a delicious meal or fresh baked pie. They enjoyed taking family camping trips and took many vacations out West to visit Federal Parks and visit his family in Montana. Bill drove school bus for the Cook District and worked as a mechanic for the Chevrolet Dealer in Cook, MN for 30 + years and in his earlier years , he worked in the woods. Bill was also a talented musician who shared his love of gospel music not only singing but playing dobro and bass guitar in many Country Shows and nursing home ministries throughout his life. Bill, when still a young man, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and his strong faith was an inspiration to all who knew him. Bill was always active in church ministry and also taught Sunday school for many years. Bill also enjoyed deer hunting season and earned the title "Sure-shot Bill" for all the whitetails he took.

After his first wife Joan passed in 2005, Bill met his future wife, Beverly, a loving Christian companion at the AJ Assembly Church while visiting in Apache Junction AZ who he would share the next 18 years of his life with in Apache Junction Arizona.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Hawkinson, 3 sons, Leonard Hawkinson of Kelly Lake MN, Vernard (Cindy) Hawkinson of Warba MN, Randy (Drift) Hawkinson Virginia, MN, and 2 daughters, Cheryl Hawkinson of Mesa, AZ, and Charlene Lokken of Hibbing;  sisters, Vivian Vanleishout of Eureka, MT, Sandy Roose of Eureka, MT, Norma Leib of Columbia Falls, MT, Vicki Jam of Kalispell, MT; and brother, Brian Newman of Portland, OR.  He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father Wilfred Hawkinson, mother, Berna (Adams) Newman; wife, Joan Hawkinson, son, Dennis (Drift) Hawkinson, daughter, Sherry (Drift) Hawkinson; brothers, Gary Hawkinson and Edward Hawkinson; and sister, Karen Siefke.

A celebration of life service will be held 12 Noon, February 8th 2025 at the Chisholm Assembly of God Church in Chisholm, Minnesota. There will be a visitation from 11-12 Noon, with a luncheon following the service.  Pastor Steve Tomberlin will officiate Bill's service.