William E. Hawkins, Jr.

Raleigh - William Edward Hawkins, Jr., 96, of 120 Challenge Road, Raleigh, died peacefully at his home on Monday.He was born in Easton, Maryland, the son of the late Ruth Horsey and William Edward Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins was a retired DOT district engineer for Wake County.A World War II veteran, he served as a forward artillery observer with the 45th Infantry Division from 1941-1945 earning two bronze stars in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.Mr. Hawkins was preceded in death by his wife Clio Farless Hawkins in 2002, his brother John Elmer Hawkins and great-granddaughter Charlotte Grace Gardner.He is survived by his daughters; Jane Hawkins Middleton and her husband James I. and Betsy Hawkins McKenzie and her husband H. Kendall; grandchildren Dr. Kathryn Middleton DePlatchett and husband Jason, Matthew William Middleton and fianc Sara Kyle, Susan Dawson Gardner and husband Chris, Amanda McKenzie Perry and husband Brandon; great-grandchildren Cameron Gardner, David and Kendall Perry; and his faithful companion, his dog Luke.Funeral service will be conducted Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12 Noon at Garner United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Montlawn Memorial Park Raleigh NC. Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.Memorials may be made to Garner United Methodist Church, 201 Methodist Drive Garner NC 27529 or Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607.