Mr. James Willard Hawkins, affectionately known by family and friends as Bud or Little Bud, passed away at 6:15pm Tuesday evening November 29, 2022 at Life Care Center of Sparta.

Bud was born December 4, 1931 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Ester D. "E.D." and Cora Bessie Ann Lance Hawkins. Bud was a longtime member of Sparta First Baptist Church and was a retired mechanic with over 20 years of service to Edd Rogers. He was an avid fisherman alongside his late wife of 66 years Beula Mae Eldridge Hawkins who died on January 30, 2016. Bud enjoyed going on rides and taking in the countryside. In addition to his parents and wife, he is also preceded in death by siblings Charles Hawkins, Pauline Humphrey, Ruth Atnip, Ida Stone, Willie "Big Bud" Hawkins and Bobby June Cockrell.

Survivors include his Two sons: Charles W. Hawkins and wife Donna, Dennie Franklin Hawkins and wife Shirley all of Sparta

Grandchildren: Dustin Hawkins and wife Amy, Broc Hawkins, Reed Hawkins and Ashley Easter, Ray Braddom and wife Lisa, Connie Larue

Close family member Steve McDonald and wife Kim of Sparta

Nine great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00am Friday, December 2, 2022 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Old Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7:00pm Thursday at Hunter Funeral Home. Brad Walker will officiate.

Dustin Hawkins, Solomon Hawkins, Broc Hawkins, Reed Hawkins, Bill Hawkins and Rodger Jones will serve as pallbearers.