SPARTA - Gregory Wayne Hawkins, aged 72, died peacefully on August 7, 2020 in Sparta, Illinois.  Greg was born September 21, 1947 in DuQuoin, Illinois, the second son of Milton and Frances (Stanhouse) Hawkins.

He is survived by his son, Evan Taylor Hawkins who resides in Brooklyn, New York and Greg is survived by his mother, Frances who resides at her home in Sparta.  He is also survived by his siblings Roger (Wanda) Hawkins residents of Chester; Cindy (Constance) Hawkins residents of Dallas, Texas;  Scott (Holly) Hawkins residents of Blair; and Christy (Paul) Gentry residents of Sparta.  In addition, Greg is survived by nephews Jeff, Chuck, Travis, Clinton, Collin and Jeremiah as well as niece, Sara.

He was preceded in death by his father, Milton in 2009.

Greg was raised and attended schools in Sparta, graduating in the class of 1965.  He studied at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale until enlistment with the U.S. Army in 1966.  He served in Vietnam February 1968 to February 1969 with the 5 ^th of the 60 ^th mechanized until the unit was transferred to the 16 ^th Infantry, 1 ^st Division.  He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1972 with six medal citations.

Greg spent his working career primarily in sales within the financial industry, working from New York to Ohio to Florida to Georgia.  He retired as a Mortgage Broker in Georgia several years ago, then returning to his native southern Illinois in 2011.

Greg was particularly interested in all things about history and aviation.  He never met a stranger and specifically loved telling stories.  Greg was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sparta as well as a member of the Sparta Eagles, VFW Post 2698 and American Legion Post 396.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 10, 2020, at 11:00 am, at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, with Rev. Randy McGeehon officiating.  Burial will follow.  Memorials may be given to the USO or First United Methodist Church, Sparta.