William A. Hawkins, 76, The Villages, FL, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2015. Born in Webster, PA, he was the son of the late Robert D. and Eugenia (Purks) Hawkins. Bill was a man of many achievements and outstanding public service. Bill was the founder of William A. Hawkins Associates. He was a former Pennsylvania Chief of Staff of the late Senator John Heinz and was appointed by former Governor Dick Thornburgh as Chief Deputy Secretary in the Department of Revenue, Labor and Industry, Aging and Community Affairs. He was also Cochairman of the Labor and Industry Transition Team for Governor Tom Ridge and he has served as Chair of the State Unemployment Compensation Board of Review since 1994. A graduate of the State University of New York, Excelsior College and the Program for Senior Executives in Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mr. Hawkins completed two terms as Board Chairman of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation. He served fourteen years as a member of the Harrisburg Area Transportation Committee, twelve of those tears as Chairman and he was also cofounding Director of the South Central Agency for Affective Governance. Additionally, he is a cofounder and member of the Board of Directors of Legacy Bank. Mr. Hawkins’ honors include being named Harrisburg’s 1996 Business Leader of the Year by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Business Development Executive Council and he was recently appointed Distinguished Executive Associate by the Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration. Bill was an Elder at North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake, FL, a masonic member of Tri County Lodge No. 252 F. & A. M. of Donora, PA and a shrine member of Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg, PA. His favorite past-times were “arguing over politics,” golf, softball and reading. Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arnita (Rousseau) Hawkins, daughter, Diane Hawkins, son, David Hawkins, special friend, Susan Yee Howe and grandchildren, Joseph, Brittany and Steven. Bill also leaves a brother, Robert D. Hawkins, Jr. The family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation to be held at the North Lake Presbyterian Church, 975 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake, FL 32159 on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 10 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to North Lake Presbyterian Church Building Fund or to Hospice of Marion County c/o Tuscany House, 17395 SE 109th Terrace Road, Summerfield, FL 34491
