George "Butch" William Hawkins, Jr.

George William "Butch" Hawkins, Jr, age 79, of Gulfport, passed away on May 11, 2026, in New Orleans, LA.

Maybe you knew Butch as a coach, friend, co-worker, mailman, brother, uncle or father—or as the man who always had a pocket full of peppermints. He never forgot you and could always make a connection. If he didn’t know you—give him a few minutes and he would work it out. While most people avoid public interactions, he was one of the few people that if he saw you, he would make a point of speaking. He knew a lot of people and had a lot of stories, and you didn’t need to get in a hurry; he always had A LOT to say.

He grew up in Orange Grove and attended Lyman High School until he enlisted in the Navy. He was a Vietnam Veteran and always very proud of his service to his country. His time in the Navy on the USS Bennington Aircraft Carrier took him around the world and gave him lasting memories.

After returning to Gulfport, he worked as a skilled welder at CE NATCO. This took him to many different locations throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Next, he followed in his father’s footsteps and delivered mail in Bayou View for 25 plus years. After retiring, he worked a few more years delivering FedEx packages all over the coast. He was a 50 plus year member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and tinkering in his wood shop, but he loved serving his church. He was a Deacon at First Baptist of Lyman and then at Campground Baptist Church. He was usually one of the first to show up to mow grass, fix toilets, build on the Gift set, wash dishes or anything else needed. He loved his Lord and there weren't many neighbors, waitresses, cashiers, or nurses that he didn’t invite to church.

Most of all he loved his family. He and his wife just of shy of 60 years, Sue, built a life together filled with faith, family, and love. He was a giant man with a big heart. He would always be there when you needed him.

He will be missed by his wife, Sue Hawkins; daughter, Lorianne Hawkins; his son, Daniel Hawkins; daughter-in-love, Lee Ann Hawkins; and his sisters, Nita O’Neal and Amy (Ronnie) Necaise; sister-in-law Patty (Pat) Meddleton; grandson, Roger (Hannah) Henn; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Jack; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He left an impression on everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Hawkins, Sr and mother, Doris New Hawkins; his brothers, Charlie, Victor, and Danny Ray Hawkins; his sisters, Judy Wangerin and Donna Hoffman; a niece, Doris Bennett; a nephew, Justin Sanders; brothers-in-law, Carrol Wangerin and Danny O’Neal; and sisters-in-law, Martha Lynch and Amy Lynn Hawkins.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all the calls, messages, visits, food and most especially the prayers. The kindness, support and love have meant more than words can express. Butch would say to not do anything big, but he would be tickled by all this.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 11 am - 1 pm at Campground Baptist Church, 20577 Hwy 53, Gulfport, MS 39503. The funeral service will be at 1 pm in the church. Interment will be in Finley Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.