HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 486 Offered March 6, 2006 Celebrating the life of Judge William Oliver Hawkins, Sr. ----------
Patrons-- Howell, A.T., Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Dudley, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Parrish, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Reid, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Welch, Wittman and Wright; Senators: Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, O'Brien, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, William Oliver Hawkins, Sr., respected citizen and longtime judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, died on February 24, 2005; and

WHEREAS, a native of Burton Station in Princess Anne County, William “Billy” Hawkins graduated from Kempsville High School and Virginia State College; and

WHEREAS, after serving his country in the United States Army, William Hawkins earned a master’s degree from Old Dominion University and a law degree from the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, before his appointment to the bench, William Hawkins practiced for 15 years with the prestigious law firm of Kershner and Hawkins; and

WHEREAS, Judge Hawkins served with dignity and profound wisdom as the chief judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for many years; and

WHEREAS, a devoted member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Judge Hawkins was committed to improving the quality of life of his neighbors and contributed his time and immense talents to the Male Usher Ministry, the choir and Sunday school programs, and numerous outreach projects; and

WHEREAS, Judge Hawkins was an active member of the Unity Lodge #93 Prince Hall Masons, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Beta Lambda Boule of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Judge Hawkins will be missed by his beloved wife and son, his numerous friends and admirers, and the citizens of the City of Norfolk; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding judge and fine Virginian, Judge William Oliver Hawkins, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Judge William Oliver Hawkins, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.