Hawkins, Roy 'Sonny'

Roy “Sonny” Hawkins, 73, passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at his home in Newton. Funeral for Sonny will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Pence Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A time of fellowship with the family to greet friends will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated in Roy's name.

Roy Edward “Sonny” Hawkins, the son of Edward Roy and Mary Viola (Kelly) Hawkins, was born Nov. 14, 1939, in the state of New York. He was married to Nancy (Smith) Hawkins for several years. Sonny lived in Port Orchard, Wash., and was a longtime resident of Iowa City, before moving to the Newton area. Over the years, he was employed as a Yellow cabdriver in Iowa City, in construction as a roofer, employed as a welder at Gralnek, a recycling plant, and owned and operated at lawn service/snow removal company and was retired. Sonny married Harriet Laina Hawkins on July 28, 1978, in Port Orchard. He enjoyed car races, car demolition derby driving, Prairie Meadows, fishing and camping.

Those left to honor Sonny's memory include his daughters, Teresa (Harlan) Sharf, Lisa (Rusty) Hogan and Brenda (Rick) Houser, all of Iowa City; sons, Tony Hansen of Ogden, Utah, Mike Hansen of Missoula, Mont. and Jeff Hansen of Newton; 11 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a brother, Terry Hawkins of Port Orchard; and his friends.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Laina on Jan. 22, 2007; a granddaughter, Crystal Lee Hawkins; and his sister, Ann Netser.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 16, 2013.