William James Hawkins, Jr. "Jim", age 71, of Hobart passed away Thursday September 25, 2025, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Jim was born October 10, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Willliam and Margaret (Handy) Hawkins, Sr.. He retired from the US Navy with twenty-one years of service as a boatswain's mate. He then worked as a foreman for US Steel until his retirement. Jim loved camping and sitting around the campfire, he also loved playing his guitar and singing.

Jim is survived by his wife, Camille Hawkins; three children, Benjamin Hawkins of Nevada, Zachary (Meara) Hawkins of Hobart, and Megan (Michael Loeffer) Hawkins of Portage; Five step children, Steven (Whitney) Spurr of Montana, Jillian (Adam) Marshall of Valparaiso, Benjamin Spurr of Portage, Marie Hitz of Tell City, and Robert (Amanda) Nelson of DeMotte; nineteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three siblings, Nancy (Dennis) Johnson of Florida, Daniel (Denise) Hawkins of Michigan, and John (Deanna) Hawkins of Minnesota; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and mother of his three children, Pamela Hawkins, and a sister, Kathleen Hawkins.

His funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am Wednesday October 1, 2025, at Rees Funeral Home 600 W. Old Ridge Road Hobart, Indiana 46342. His visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral Home.

Memorial gifts may be made to the wounded warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org in lieu of flowers.