Mcgill Joseph Hawley

McGill Joseph Hawley was born May 28th, 1938 to John B. Hawley, Jr. and Anne McGill Hawley of Wayzata, MN. McGill was not your typical genteel Minnesotan. He was more like a character in a John D. MacDonald mystery novel. He loved pranks but he played one of the more perilous ones on the principal of Blake School. Shortly thereafter, McGill could no longer be found on the Blake school grounds. McGill continued high school at the Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Colorado and graduated in 1957.

After high school, Jack Hawley hired McGill to work as a roustabout in the Woodbine (Gainesville), Texas office of Northern Pump Company. He managed the employees and worked hard in the oil fields. McGill said, "drinking and playing dice and cards were required in my type of work. You had to get along or else." McGill worked for Northern Pump in many oil industry jobs, including stints in other parts of Texas, Kansas, North Dakota, and the main office in Minneapolis.

Some of McGill's hobbies were: scuba diving in Lake Texoma, boating, leading boy scout troops, relaying messages for the troops during the Vietnam war on a MARS Net ham radio, drag racing and studying mechanics. Texans are famous for being fond of guns and McGill was no exception. He loved shooting but had to give up his guns. Apparently, unregistered weapons make certain federal agencies uncomfortable. He was able to make due with a few high-velocity pellet guns and crossbows.

McGill donated his time to the VFW, the Air Force MARS program, and did civil defense work. He gave mechanical equipment to various organizations in Gainesville. He was a member of the Cooke County Amateur Radio Club, the Moose Lodge, the Denton Elks, and The Order of The Turtle. Apparently, every Turtle must have a hypothetical donkey and if someone asks if you are a Turtle the password is, "You bet your sweet ass I am."

McGill was close to animals, particularly his dogs Friend and Juno. Many critters visited his wildlife preserve and enjoyed his carb-loaded treats. Raccoons, birds, and coyotes all feasted on massive amounts of doughnuts and Wonder Bread.

McGill passed away on September 13th, 2016 at his Gainesville home, The Silver Bullet Ranch. He was proud to be a self-reliant Texan and he died with his boots on. No assisted living facility, guardian, or caretaker. Just the way he would have wanted it.

He was preceded in death by Anne McGill Randolph (mother), John B. Hawley, Jr (father), Peter Hawley (brother), Lisa Hawley (sister). Survivors include: Rosita Hawley Wright (stepmother), siblings: Terrell Hawley Simonson, Michael Hawley, MacDonald Hawley, James Hawley (Roslyn), and Lane Hawley. Nieces and nephews: Julia Hawley DuBay, Ry Hawley, Alana Hawley, Lucia Hawley, MacLean Hawley, John D. Hawley, and Michele Hawley Pelton. Best friends: the Floyd family, Westmoreland family, Larry Burgess, George Grounds, and many Amateur Radio friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. McGill was interred in the Nelson Grove Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: The Shriners Hospital for Children, 815 Market St.
Galveston, TX 77550-2725 http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/locations/galveston