William (Bill) Richard Hawk, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024 with his daughter by his side.
Bill was born on April 25, 1942 in Poplar, Montana, the son of Mattie Ina and William A. Hawk. He grew up and attended school in Poplar, graduating from high school in 1960. While attending school, Bill was very active in sports and became a letterman in his freshman year playing baseball. The next three years of high school he lettered in football and basketball as baseball was not played in high school after 1957. Bill started his athletic career when he was about 8 years old. The catholic priest asked him if he wanted to play on the little league team as a catcher, which was the only position left open. Thus, Bill began a very good career as a catcher. He played little league, Babe Ruth, Jr. Legion baseball all as catcher, turning into one of the best in the area. When Bill was not playing Legion Baseball, he was playing for the local town baseball team. After graduating from high school, Bill enlisted in the Air Force, serving for four years. After basic training and technical school, Bill spent two years in Japan as a radio operator, using morse code. He then returned to the United States and was assigned to Albuquerque, New Mexico as a radio operator. While in the Air Force, Bill continued his sports career by playing fast pitch softball in Japan and in Albuquerque as a catcher. Following his honorable discharge in October of 1964, Bill worked various jobs until 1966 when he went to San Francisco, under the relocation program, where he attended business college, graduating in 1967. While in San Francisco, he met his future wife. After a short courtship, Bill and Sharon were married in June of 1967 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1985, the family moved to Miles City where Bill worked various jobs, finally settling at Pine hills School where he was a correctional officer, retiring in 2008.
Bill loved coaching little league baseball in the summers, watching sports on TV in the winter, spending time with his kids but most of all he loved when he became a grandpa. Papa loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren most of all.
Bill is survived by three children: Denise, William Jr., and Debra; his grandchildren: Deidre, Tony, Michelle, Kaylynn, Paige, TJ, Jordan, Ashley, Sioux, Jamie, Dakota and Thomas; great grandchildren: Ryan, Rowdy, Ari, Milo, Emma, Niko, A’Laya, A’Leya, Katherine, A’Lyna, Tatum, Hendrix, Maddie, Brexton, Kieran, Molli, Lakious and Zofia and soon to be William Scott. His is also survived by a sister Ardey Boxer and a brother Tony Boxer. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, daughter Darla, Son Scott, grandchild Angel, grandparents Mary and Ezra Ricker and his parents William A. Hawk and Mattie Ina Boxer; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters.
Bill’s family would like to thank the Holy Rosary Healthcare nurses, aides and Dr. Tun, Holy Rosary Hospice Services and his granddaughter Jordan for the help with dad’s last days. We are grateful for all your caring help.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home to help with final expenses.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 2, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 3, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday January 3, 2025
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 2, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 3, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday January 3, 2025
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Deb Jerrel says
Deb and family, I’m very sorry for the loss of your dad. So hard to lose somebody over the holidays.💔😪
Lori Niles says
Denise, I’m so very sorry about your Dad passing… I love you…
Nancy Fillafer says
Denise, My sympathy to you. May he rest in peace God Bless.
Charice Virag says
So sorry to hear this! My prayers are with you and family.
Julie K says
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad.
Sending you hugs and love.
Clinton Meidinger says
Denise, sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a good man to work with.
Danette & David Olguin says
Denise, Debra, Billy and families we are so sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Scott and Sue Jens says
I knew Bill from coaching baseball in Miles City, he was a very nice man, loved the game of baseball, and was an outstanding coach, very good with the kids. Heaven has gained a very good man, and we have lost one. Sending out our heartfelt condolences to all the family members. Rest in peace Bill Hawk.
Charleen Luttrell says
Prayers and condolences love from the wolfblack clan. We sadly couldn’t attend. We have covid. God bless all of you. He’s with your Momma now. Hard year losing beautiful Darla and now your Daddy, grandpa, great great grandpa. I wish I could have been there. I’m only a phone call away.
Brenda Witkowski says
Deb, Paige, Jordan, Ryan, Rowdy and Blue,
My heart breaks for you all. I am so sorry to hear about your dad and grandpa passing. Deb, you look just like your dad! My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It has definitely been a rough year for you with losing Darla too. Big hugs!
Linda Walker says
Denise, sorry to read about your Dad. Too much loss.
Trenton Standing Rock says
I’m sorry for your loss Deb, Denise, Billy and his grandkids. Jess and I sure got along great with both of your parents when we first moved in next door to them. My kids automatically started calling them grandma and grandpa and called Darla, auntie. It sure has been lonely first with out your mom then your sister and now your dad. I hope you 3 siblings remain close and don’t let your family fall to the four winds like my siblings and I have since we lost our mom and our dad years later. I’ve been praying for you all and for Bill to have a safe trip home to those that left before him. We are praying for you all and will miss seeing “the old man” around in the summer mostly. Take care of yourselves.
Eugene-Connie Bankey says
Enjoyed two years of coaching 5th and 6th grade basketball with Bill and his son Scott in the early years of the program. Bill brought alot of expertise to the program with his athletic abilities. Enjoyed our short but sincere visits over the past. My condolences and prayers for the family
Sandy Jensen says
Sincere condolences to the Hawk family. Bill was a really nice guy and always a good mentor to our youth.
Cynthia Stanton says
My sincerest sympathy for the loss of Bill. I worked at P.H. as school secretary in the early 2000’s. Bill was a kind and gentle man. You could tell he liked kids as he treated them with patience and respect. He was very kind to me as well. May you journey well and rest in peace Bill.
Martha Crandall says
Denise – my sympathy
Dave & Lavonne Ewalt. says
Dave &Lavonne Ewalt are so sorry for your loss of Bill. Thoughts & prayers to the family.
Wesley Hodgson says
I played baseball with Scott Hawk back in the day. Bill was always there to cheer him on, was a great supporter and proud dad. Bill Hawk was a good man. Rest in peace Bill.
Kevin Donnelly says
Sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed working and visiting with Bill. One of my preferred coworkers.
Kevin Donnelly
Misty Fox says
Denise, Debra, and Billy, so sorry for the loss of your dad and siblings. My thoughts and prayers