Roy E. Hawkins

Roy “Sonny” Hawkins, 73, died Saturday evening, Oct. 12, 2013, at his home in Newton, under the care of Skiff Hospice.

A time of remembrances for Sonny will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A time of fellowship with the family will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sugar Grove (Metz) Cemetery in rural Newton. In lieu of flowers memorials have been designated in Roy’s name.

Roy Edward Hawkins “Sonny”, the son of Edward Roy and Mary Viola (Kelly) Hawkins, was born Nov. 14, 1939, in the state of New York, and he was a high school graduate. He had been married to Nancy (Smith) Hawkins for several years. Sonny lived in Port Orchard, Wash., a longtime resident of Iowa City, prior to moving to the Newton area. Over the years he was employed as a Yellow Cab Driver 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 devoted his life to his family and friends, and 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; his sons: Tony Hansen of Ogden, Utah, Mike Hansen of Missoula, Mont., and Jeff Hansen of Newton; his 11 grandchildren and 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 www.pencefh.com.