Former Hawk Ford GM Dies Suddenly at Age 64

William “Bill” Hawkinson, former president and general manager of Hawkinson Ford Company and longtime Oak Lawn resident, passed away unexpectedly the morning of Feb. 2 of cardiac tamponade. He was 64.

Hawkinson was well recognized in the automotive industry for sales and customer service. He was a finalist in 2001 for the National TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award for outstanding performance as a dealer and within the community.

Under his leadership, the Hawkinson Ford Company became prominent in Oak Lawn. It was named Top 100 Ford Dealer in the USA from 1972 to 2005, as well as Ford No. 1 Retail New Car Dealership in 1991, among other awards.

Hawkinson was born Feb. 13, 1950, in Chicago to Robert and Marion Hawkinson. He attended Chicago’s Christ the King School and then St. Ignatius College Prep in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1972. He later pursued postgraduate studies in structural engineering.

In 1997, Hawkinson founded the Hawkinson Family Foundation to financially support Oak Lawn schools and charities. He supported St. Ignatius and the Boy Scouts of America.

He served as a council member for Advocate Christ Medical Center, and he was honorary chair of Advocate Children’s Hospital-Oak Lawn’s participation in the Chicago Automobile Trade Association’s “First Look for Charity Preview,” which raised more than $2 million in donations.

Hawkinson served on several business organizations as a board member and treasurer, such as the National Ford Dealer Council, Chicago Ford Dealers’ Advertising Fund, Illinois Automobile Dealers Association and as a council member and occasional adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Family Business School. He was also an active member of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce.

Most recently of Lakeside, Michigan, Hawkinson was known for his integrity and quirky sense of humor. He had profound faith in God and was an active philanthropist. A good day for Hawkinson was a round of golf followed by a fine meal.

Hawkinson was the cherished husband of Fredrica for 41 years and the devoted father of Jeffrey (Gabrielle) Hawkinson, April (Karim) Anani and Erica Hawkinson (Michael Giannangelo). He was grandfather, “Pops,” to Leonidas, Layla, Dean and Alessandra and a loving brother to Mary (Bill) Roth, Sally (Bob) Gaw, Bob (Sara) Hawkinson, Tom (Alice) Hawkinson, Margie (Joe) Gainer and Jim (Maria) Hawkinson. He was a kind uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at Thompson and Kuenster Funeral Home at 5570 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. A private funeral is planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Illinois, 60608.

Visit Thompson-Kuenster to leave online condolences.


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