William Buford “Bill” Hawley, age 74, passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
He was born on February 13, 1947, in Lima, Ohio to the late B.G. and Ernestine (Walls) Hawley. On December 18, 1980, Bill married Myra J. Holbrook and she survives in Ada.
Also surviving are his three daughters: Rachael Hawley of Atlanta, GA, Nicky (Buzz) Neiswander of Ada and Rhonda (Tim) Kimerling of Onsted, MI; two grandchildren Zach and Sam; and a sister, Jayne Griffin of Ada.
Bill was preceded in death by his grandson, Aubin and brother-in-law and best friend, Ronald Griffin.
Bill was the owner and a chiropractor of Hawley Chiropractic Clinic, Findlay. He attended the Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War who served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1968. He was a member of the Ada VFW Post #9381.
My love, life, and best friend for 41 years. He is an amazing man more ways than I can count.
Bill was a self-taught guitarist. Excellent guitar skill with music theory he also studied himself. 60 years. His patients at his chiropractic office loved him, he healed many people, I loved to hear his success stories every night after work. 50 years at Hawley Chiropractic in Findlay Ohio.
He sang beautifully. We wrote songs together for 43 years. Bill loved all of his musician friends and friends to many to mention.
Bill bought a book one time on sailing. After studying it thoroughly, he took us to Lake Erie and rented a 22-foot sailboat and taught all of us to sail. Eventually, we moved up to a 36-foot sailing yacht.
Bill backpacked much of the Appalachian trail 3 times, and together we backpacked Upper Peninsula Michigan 3 times, and to my surprise, I loved it. He built our decks, was a wood carver he gave as gifts, and helped me make my terrific gardens.
I don’t think he ever said a harsh word to our daughter, Nicky. He taught her sailing and loved her quiet sweetness, volleyball, and usually took her side on everything. He loved his daughters Rachael and Rhonda, would do anything for them. He was sad they were too far away in Georgia to see them daily.
The grandboys are a whole other chapter. Zach and Sam gave him more fun and joy I think than anything. From campfires, archery, and fixing things, I couldn’t name all the lessons of life he taught. They are both guitar players like Papaw. He loved animals and was an avid outdoorsman. We will miss and love you forever, my sweet Bill.
Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada with David Holbrook officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada with military honors conducted by the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The funeral service for Bill will be live streamed on the Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services Facebook Page beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13.
Friends may call two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13 at the funeral home in Ada.
Memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 and/or the ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10128.
