William Bruce Hawkins

William Bruce Hawkins, 79, sailor, woodworker, and photographer known by his grandchildren as the “tall man with the camera” on Beaver Lake, died peacefully at sunset Jan. 29 with his wife at his side.

Born Dec. 14, 1946, in Richmond, VA, Bruce grew up in Charlotte, NC, attended the University of Richmond, and graduated from the University of North Carolina —Charlotte. After graduation, he joined the Hawkins Company, founded by his father, William, followed by a four-decade career with Nash Engineering and Gardner-Denver.

He spent many childhood summers at a family cabin on the Ware River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, crabbing and sailing with his brother, sisters, and cousins.

Bruce met his wife, Sue, through her brother, Robert Van Vleet, his longtime friend. They were married Dec. 29, 2005, in Barbados, West Indies, and enjoyed years of sailing on Beaver Lake, golfing, biking, and tennis. They wintered on Longboat Key, FL, and in St. Maartin, West Indies, where he leaves behind a beloved community of friends.

He was a member of the Chenequa Country Club, the Beaver Lake Yacht Club, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Heiliger Huegel Ski Club.

Bruce loved photography and could often be seen around Beaver Lake with his Canon camera hanging around his neck, photographing yacht club activities. His photos regularly appeared in the Dinghy, the yacht club’s annual magazine. His passion was capturing the elusive green flash, which appears just as the sun’s upper rim dips below the horizon.

Survivors include his wife; children, Kelsey Willard and Michael; grandchildren, Sam, Wolfgang, and Mary Lynn; sisters, Lynn Rogney, Judy (Ted) Swaim, Betsy (Bob) McClelland; brother, Lewis; and many other relatives and friends.

Burial services were private. Donations in Bruce’s memory may be directed to a charity of your choice.