MORGANTOWN, Ky. — Ray Hawkins, 68, of Morgantown, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020, in Morgantown. Ray was born Sept. 12, 1951, to the union of Lewis and Goldie Pendley Hawkins.
He was a member of Nelson Pentecostal Church in Central City, Kentucky, and a retired heavy equipment operator and coal miner.
Ray loved fishing and his family and they were always top priority.
On Jan. 26, 1973, Ray married the love of his life. They began a beautiful journey together. He was the most loved husband, dad, and papa. As life and our love would have it we were blessed with two precious sons, two precious daughters-in-law, and wonderful grandchildren.
He genuinely adored his wife, he only loved one thing more than his wife and family. That was his Jesus. He was always a hard worker, supporting his family, living his life as an example. We were always so proud to call him our “Love”, “Dad” and “Papa”. He was a giant of a man in many people’s eyes even thou he wasn’t very tall in stature.
Dad and mom walked this journey hand in hand. They were partners in the true sense of the word, working and playing together each day. For 47 years they walked together living and loving until his Master called Ray to walk on heaven’s shore that early Monday morning. He was a humble and kind soul.
He was a silent but strong man to be heeded when he spoke. He was extremely proud of his family. We never liked goodbyes. We were really good at hellos, hugs, and kisses.
Our life must go on until we are allowed to join him one day. The time for us will be long be it one day or many. We look back with eyes full of tears and love on this precious journey that seems to shout.
Other than his parents he is preceded in death by father and mother-in-law, Charlie and Mary Lou Gill; two brothers-in-law, Gail Huff and Greg Gill; and one sister-in-law, Alice Hawkins.
Ray Hawkins is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Linda Gill Hawkins, of Morgantown; three sons, Michael Hawkins, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Derek Hawkins (Sondra), of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, and Jeremy Hawkins (Regina), of Morgantown; five grandchildren, Jenna Hawkins, of Morgantown, Emily Hawkins, of Beaver Dam, April Holmin, of Beaver Dam, Marcus Matthews, of Beaver Dam, and Heather Sublett (Bryan), of Morgantown; two nephews known as grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Gill, of Morgantown; brother, Gene Hawkins, of Morgantown; sister, Helen Huff, of Hadley, Kentucky, and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving, the Gill family that considered him one of theirs when he and Linda married, Carolyn and Roger Williams, of Morgantown, Rita Gill, of Morgantown; Brenda Gill, of Morgantown, and like our son, Patrick and Amy Gill, of Morgantown.
Funeral services will be held at the Jones Funeral Chapel Thursday, July 9, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Paul Uzzle Jr. officiating. Burial will be held in the Webster Cemetery where Bryan Uzzle, Bobby Penrod, Matthew Gill, Andrew Gill, Larry Morgan and Ricky Avery will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Thursday 8 a.m. until funeral time at 1:00 pm at the Jones Funeral Chapel.
Please share any photos, memories, condolences or light a candle in memory of Ray at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com.
Jones Funeral Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Ray Hawkins.