Phillip Lee Hawk

Phillip Lee Hawk passed away, surrounded by his family on October 7^th, 2023.  Phillip was known to everyone as “Granddad”, “Phill”, but to his children he was “Dad”.

Phill was born May 1^st, 1932, in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana to Thamar Silas Hawk and Dorothy Mae Ellis.  He married Martha J. (Griffith) Lee on December 24^th, 1954, at Sanborn Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas.  In 1956 Phill adopted Martha’s 4 children, by a previous marriage, Betty Jo, Barbara Jean, William Travis, and Kathy Elaine.  They had 2 more children, Tommy Lynn Hawk “Tom” and James Robert Hawk “Jim”.  They loved having children around, they even fostered several.

Phill joined the U.S. Air Force enlisting January 1950.  After marrying Martha, the family was stationed at several places in the United States, then in France and twice in Germany.  They had the opportunity to visit many countries in Europe.  They returned to Wichita Falls, Texas and retired, from the Air Force, in 1972, having served 22 years.  He then took a job with Northrup which sent him to Saudi Arabia.  While there, Dad and Mother went sight-seeing to several other countries.

When Dad retired from his 2nd job, they sold their home in Burkburnett, Texas and did RVing for about 10 years.  They loved the adventure!  Then it was time to settle down, so they picked Silsbee, Texas to plant their roots.  First thing they did was find a church, First Baptist Church of Silsbee.  Both became very involved in the workings of the church family, dad in maintenance and mother with the kitchen and quilting.  Dad was famous for always helping family, friends, and others who needed assistance.  He was an avid table tennis player and teacher who won many trophies.  While in Europe they became Square Dancers.  Dad even became a caller.

Their legacy continues today for Phill leaves behind his children:  Betty Jo Hawk Moeller and her husband Nelson from Reading, Pennsylvania; Barbara Jean Hawk and Jim Robken from Arkansas; William (Bill) Travis Hawk and wife Maria Guadalupe (Lupe) from Beaumont, Texas; Tommy (Tom) Lynn Hawk and his wife Virginia (Gail) from Silsbee, Texas; and James (Jim) Robert Hawk from Silsbee, Texas.  He also leaves 24 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren with the 15th due in 2024.  In addition, he leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Those who left us before Phill was his wife, Martha Jo; a daughter, Kathy Elaine Kauffman; a great-grandson, Jeffrey Edgar Lee O’Connell; brother Frederick Merrill Hawk and Fred’s wife Ruth Ann.

A gathering of Mr. Hawk’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. There will be no graveside services as Phillip has chosen to be cremated following the service. His cremated body will be given to a family member. There will be a head stone placed in Silverton Cemetery, Silverton, Briscoe County, Texas, for genealogical purposes.

The family sincerely thanks Broussard’s Mortuary for their guidance in making the arrangements for our father.

We, the children of Phillip Hawk, would like to thank Harbor Hospice House, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas for their caring and loving support during our time of hardship. To the Hospice team on Dad’s wing, which were many, a very sincere thank you for your caring and loving attention to our father, for your talking to him and at times being able to lift his spirits.  Also, a big thank you to family and friends for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KGHY Christian Radio Station, P.O. Box 22602, Beaumont, Texas 77720.  Donations can also be made online at the following website: donate online.