Barney William Hawks, 91

Barney William Hawks, 91, 'went to be with our Savior' at Brendan House on Jan. 10, 2008, where he resided for the past year and a half. He spent many days there singing and playing his harmonica and receiving the best of care.

He was born July 12, 1916, in Helena to Daniel and Elizabeth Hawks.

Barney attended school in Helena, then joined the Army and served in World War II. After four years of service, he returned home and married Laura Jean Buck in Kalispell, where they had nine children.

Barney worked for the Great Northern Railroad, the Flathead County Road Department and the Labor Union.

In 1972, he and Laura divorced, and he moved to Spokane, where he met and lived with Lorraine Higgins until her death.

He enjoyed the outdoors, and was quite a swimmer, ice skater and hockey player.

Barney was preceded in death by his infant son, Robert W. Hawks; two sisters, Eileen Apple and Kay Zimmerman; and lifelong friend, Lorraine Higgins.

He is survived by his former wife, Laura Wilkes; and four sons, Darell and wife, Shellie, Daniel and wife, Debbie, Barney Jr., and James and wife, Mary; and four daughters, Star and husband, David Anderson, Cecelia and husband, James Pickering, Rosemary and husband, Ken Evenson, Dawn and husband, Tom Triplett; 18 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors are nieces, Darlen Olsen, Bonnie Zimmerman and Nancy Bernier, all of Great Falls; and nephew, Ronnie Apple, of California.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.