Robert Hawkins

Robert B. Hawkins Jr., 84, passed away Wednesday (December 31, 2014) at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tn after a brief illness. Born on March 5, 1930 in Kingsport, Tn. he was the son the late Robert Beecher Hawkins Sr. and Bertie Bowlin Hawkins. While in Kingsport, Robert worked several years at the Kingsport Press and retired from Harry Lane Chrysler Dodge of Knoxville. In the 1960’s Robert opened Volunteer Motorcycle Sales in Knoxville to pursue his greatest passion, motorcycles. He was an accomplished motorcycle rider having successfully raced on many flat track circuits in the South, including Daytona. He rode motorcycles into his 80s and had restored many older Norton, Triumph and Moto Guzzi bikes. He was considered a master at motorcycle restoration. Robert had many close friends that shared his love for motorcycles. He was a member of the Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club of Knoxville. In addition, Robert earned the name and many of his friends knew him as “Hawkeye” Hawkins because of his skill at the shooting range. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor Childress Hawkins. He was survived by his wife Elvetta Wood Hawkins of Knoxville, his son, Charles W. Hawkins (Liese) of Blountville, Tn. , his daughter, Joyce Jones (Butch) of Blountville, Tn., seven grandchildren, Jennifer Seeley (Tommy), Michelle Hawkins , Jason Jones (Sarah), Erik Hawkins (Nikki), Lisa Dru Minnick (Joey), Nathan Hawkins, Jessica Sanders (Matt), two sisters, Marcellena Roberts (Stanley) and Trula Simmons, 11 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel from 6 till 8 pm Friday in Knoxville, Tn. The family will also receive friends in the Oak Hill Funeral Home in Kingsport from 2 pm till 3 pm on Sunday with graveside services to follow at the Oak Hill cemetery at 3:00 pm., Pastor Tom Reed officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Knoxville Humane Society or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the medical staff of Fort Sanders ICU and CCU units, especially Dr. Ayers and Dr. Joseph and CCU Nurse Jennifer.