​William J. Hawes Sr. (Bill), 80, called home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 16, 2025.

William J. Hawes Sr. (Bill), 80, of Milford, CT and Ellenton, FL was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 16, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Carmella J. Hawes for 46 years, William was born on March 11, 1945, in New Haven, CT to the late Wilbur Alonzo Hawes and Marguerite Louise Cole (aka Peggy). He grew up as the middle child with his older brother, the late David Hawes (m. the late Barbara Hawes) and younger sister Diane Moody (m. David Moody).

Together, William and Carmella lovingly raised 5 children: Theresa Rieger (m. the late Joan Murphy), the late Joseph Rieger (m. Karen Rieger), Sharon Rieger, Robert Rieger (m. Kimberlee Rieger) and William Hawes Jr (m. Rosa Hawes).

William is survived by his loving sister and brother in-law Diane and David Moody; his children William Hawes Jr, Theresa Rieger, Sharon Rieger, Robert Rieger, Karen Rieger-Dumez (m. Steve Dumez) and his grandchildren, Michael Rieger, Rebecca Rieger, Lauren Rieger, Matthew Rieger, Tori Rieger, David Hawes and Daniel Hawes, Samuel Gonzalez (m. Barbara Gonzalez) and Noemi Gonzalez.

After serving in Vietnam within the United States Air Force, and honorably discharged as a Sergeant, William protected and served the city of West Haven Connecticut as Patrol Officer, and later as a Field Training Officer and Court Liaison Officer with a retired rank of Sergeant after 26 years of service.

William was dedicated to his faith, family, community, and country. Filled with a steadfast loving and caring heart, he served and guarded his family and friends with consistency and loyal dedication. William was gentle and kindhearted husband to Carmella, supporting his wife in every way, especially as Carmella’s health failed her in her elder years. As a father, he was equally patient, steady, and supportive to all his children. Beyond being father to kids through marriage to Carmella, he often stood in the place as a father many times for many people.

William enjoyed family, food, animals and fixing things with his best buddy and brother-in-law, David Moody.

William will forever be known to all as a self-sacrificing gentle giant that told long jokes, only to forget the punchline or reuse dad jokes we’ve all heard many times.

His family loves him dearly and he will be greatly missed.

Family and friends may call on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT.

William’s Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday October 25, 2025, at 09:30 a.m. at the Covenant Church of Easton 1 Sport Hill Rd., Easton, CT 06612 (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Burial with Military Honors will follow the same day at Kings Highway Cemetery, 271 Cherry St., Milford, CT 06460.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in William’s name may be made to Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida using this link: https://lowriderrescue.org