William (Bill) Eugene Hawes, Jr. 97, of Leonardtown, MD died on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born September 11, 1911 in Tiptonville, Tennessee he was the son of the late William Eugene and Nellie Beth (Peacock) Hawes of Lanham, MD. Mr. Hawes was the eldest of six children and attended public schools in Union County, TN. He resided in Union County, TN until July 1927 when at the age of 16, Mr. Hawes' uncle, Walter Hawes brought him and later, the entire family to Washington, DC. That year, Mr. Hawes began his career with Peoples Drug Stores at 8th and H Streets NE at the soda fountain as a "Soda Jerk". After a short time, Mr. Hawes began working at the Peoples Drug Stores Warehouse in Washington, DC in the Candy Department. He was soon promoted to assistant buyer and executive buyer in 1950. Hr. Hawes regularly traveled to Mexico in his position as candy buyer, purchasing Easter baskets and other products and became familiar with the country, it's language, customs and citizens.

On August 18, 1935 he married Grace Lola MacEwen in Bethesda, MD. After their marriage they moved to Cheverly, MD and later to Landover, MD. In 1975 they moved to their retirement home in Leonardtown, MD.

Mr. Hawes retired from CVS (formerly Peoples) in 1976 after a distinguished and honored career of 49 years. After his retirement from CVS he became active in his son's construction business until the age of 93. Mr. Hawes enjoyed reading, boating, fishing and crabbing during his retirement as well as the company of family and friends. A man with a great sense of humor and wit, he always had a twinkle in his eye and a cigar in his mouth.

He is survived by a daughter, Celia Hawes Taylor and her fiancé Darryl E. Matthews of Leonardtown, MD, son, Marc Hawes and his wife Ann of Helen, MD, a sister; Dorothy F. (Dot) Newkirk and her husband Roland E. (Rollie) of Lakeland, FL. Also survived by eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren. Mr. Hawes was predeceased by his wife Grace MacEwen Hawes of 65 years, a daughter; Patrice Hawes Walton, a son-in-law Gerald R. Taylor, three sisters Helen May Hudgins, Lillian Meeks and Martha V. Blythe and one brother James Edwin Hawes.

Family will receive friends on Friday, January 9, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Carl Snyder of Grace Chapel Ministries officiating. Interment Christ Church Cemetery, Chaptico, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Chapel Ministries Building Fund, 29190 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659, or Christ Church, P.O. Box 8, Chaptico, MD 20621.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.