Billy Vance Hawkins

© Marietta Monitor

September 3, 1993, page 4 Courtesy of Ray and Elreeta Weathers

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Billy Vance Hawkins were Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the Watts Memorial Chapel, Madill, with Don Huddleston officiating.

Born July 8, 1925, in Madill, Mr. Hawkins died August 31 in an Oklahoma City hospital at the age of 68. He was the son of the late Houston Vance Hawkins and Oma Nathaline Green.

A lifetime resident of Madill and Oakland, he attended Oakland Elementary School and Madill High School. Following graduation from high school, he served in the U.S. Army and then the Army Reserve 11 years. He and the former Juanita Stowers were married September 4, 1955, at Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mr. Hawkins farmed and ranched prior to becoming a Game Ranger with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, working at that profession 29 years. During that time he was named “Ranger of the Year” and received the Medal of Valor in 1970. He retired from the Department of Wildlife in 1990. Called “Sergeant” by his grandchildren, Mr. Hawkins coached Little League baseball and was an honor member of the All Sports Booster Club. He had been a member of the Madill Church of Christ since January 1, 1950.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita Hawkins of Madill; two sons, Tony Alan Hawkins and Billy Michael Watkins of Madill; two daughters, Dawn Larae Shebester and Danita Carol Dowlen of Madill; a brother, Joe Green of Madill; two sisters, Lois Wood of Edmond and Louise Matlock of Madill; seven grandchildren, Brian, Jason, Jaret, Shantel, Takara, LaKesha and Hailey; and several nieces and nephews.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Wilson.

Interment in the Oakland Cemetery was under the direction of Watts Funeral Home. Serving as casket bearers were Paul Mauck, Will Cook, Marcello Cavello, Bruce Schulze, John Cox, L. A. Robertson, Harold Scates, Tom Reynolds, Clinton Williams and Doc Watkins. Honorary pallbearers were Toss Crow, Bill Ayres, Brian Johnson, Monroe Thompson, Jimmy Henthorn and R. C. Bales.