Charles Walter “Bud” Hawthorne, 81, of Stonington, died in Decatur Memorial Hospital on Monday, January 13, 2014, at 9:05 pm after a brief illness.
Bud was born in Glade Spring, Va. on November 21, 1932. He served in the United States Air Force in Korea. He and his family moved to Stonington in 1965. Bud was a brick mason; a craft he learned from his grandfather, Charlie Lester of Glade Spring, Va. Bud was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers for over 50 years. He retired in November 1993, after serving for 25 years as a foreman for Hilliard Masonry of Decatur. During his lifetime he laid over 20,000,000 block and brick, and took craftsman’s pride in getting every one of them just right. He will be sadly missed by all of his friends and family. His legacy will live on in the many buildings he worked on over the years and in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he dearly loved.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Annie Ruth Adams Hawthorne of Stonington; three sons: Dana Charles Hawthorne of Stonington; Gary Lee and wife Shannon Bohlen Hawthorne of Springfield; and Terry Randall and wife Nancy Campbell Hawthorne of Chilhowie, Va.; six grandchildren: Samantha Rae Farris of Taylorville; Joshua Charles Hawthorne of Taylorville; Alicia Pearl Ann Hawthorne of Hartsburg; Nathan Elliot Hawthorne of Stonington; Sarah Catherine Hawthorne of Christiansburg, Va.; and Stephen Campbell Hawthorne of Chilhowie, Va; four great-grandchildren: Tyler Christopher Nicholas Farris, Devin Gabe Farris, and Jenna Elaine Farris, all of Taylorville; and Aidan Laurel Donovan of Hartsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents: French and Juanita “Dean” Hawthorne of Glade Spring, Va.; and his two brothers and sister: Howard Hawthorne, Jim Hawthorne, and Shirley Bowers, all of Glade Spring, Va.
The family is being served by McClure Funeral Home of Taylorville. According to Bud’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. He will be cremated.
Memorials can be made to the Stonington Rescue Squad, 423 Walnut, Stonington, IL 62567.
Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
