William Cleaston Hawkins, better known as "Bill", age 83, of Murphy, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 in Baldwin, Georgia. He was born on September 18, 1940 in Murphy, North Carolina to the late Edward Columbus Hawkins and Lizzie Jane Rhodes Hawkins. Bill was a long time member of New Liberty Baptist Church. Bill worked for many years as a repairman for the Tennessee Copper Company. In his younger years he loved to coon hunt, and raising cattle. He also truly appreciated spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth Long Hawkins; and siblings, Helen Hawkins, Mildred Hughes, Bonnie Ruth Hawkins, Patricia Nell, and Ray Hawkins.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Mike and Betty Hawkins of Murphy, NC and Roxie and Billy Long of Morganton, GA; grandchildren, Chase Hawkins (Lety), David Long (Jessica), Kimberly Deaver (Drew), and Casey Hawkins; great-grandchildren, Hudson Long, Gunner Deaver, Luke Hawkins, Paisley Deaver, Hannah Hawkins, and Halle Long; and sister, Donna Truelove of Buford, GA.

Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Wallace Parks officiating. Music was provided by Rev. Paul Ray Morgan and Linda Morgan. Interment followed in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery (Murphy, NC) with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Danny Henson, Ethridge Ware, Chase Hawkins, Chris Truelove, Drew Deaver, and Raymond Long. Selected to serve as honorary pallbearers were: Tommy Bell, Bob Hawkins, Ned Loudermilk, Lowell Thomas, and Buford Kidd. The family visited with friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, May 22, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge was in charge of these arrangements.