Hadley, Virgil William (Bill) Hawes, 86, of Hadley, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2017. He was born on August 9, 1930, in St. Ignatius, Montana to the late Hazel and Willard Hawes. Virgil was raised in Ohio and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He retired from AT&T after 30 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Belchertown, a charter member of the Amherst Jaycees, a member of Hadley American Legion and a member of First Baptist Church of Amherst.

Virgil had farming in his bones and loved to garden. He especially enjoyed his award-winning gladioli. Virgil enjoyed square dancing with his wife, Clare, and was a member of the Jumptown Twirlers (Orange). He was a devoted family man who was outnumbered by the females in his family. He spent countless hours flooding the backyard so his little girls would have a place to ice skate. In his later years he took joy in spending time with his grandchildren. He was a devoted fan of UMass softball. Virgil had a passion for music and sang in his church choir and also played the harmonica. In his final months he spread joy to the nursing home staff and guests with his singing.

Virgil is survived by his sister, Dorothy Friend, of Troy, Ohio. He leaves his wife of 63 years, Clare (Gooch) Hawes of Hadley, and his four daughters: Nancy Hawes of South Portland, Maine; Mary Allen of Bucksport, Maine; Karen Chauvin and her husband Lou of Gurnee, Illinois; and Sarah Darling and her husband Roy of Greenfield, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his grandchildren Rebecca Labonte (Zachary), Jason Chauvin, Katie Allen (Ryley), Rachel Ketchum (Eli), Kristen Chauvin, Stacy Darling, step-grandchild Cathi Hagar, and great grandchildren Kash, Dylan, Heather, and Samantha.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday February 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Amherst, there are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, 01002.