William Beekman Howkins

Mr. William Beekman Howkins, age 79, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Sunday, September 14, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. He died at home in Ocean Springs, surrounded by his family. Mr. Howkins was a native of Savannah, GA., and was raised in Bermuda and Jamaica. Upon returning to the United States he attended Taft Boarding School in Connecticut. After joining his family in Ocean Springs he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946. He served on a LST with a special unit 1040, and was honorably discharged in 1949. He purchased his first piece of property in Vancleave, MS in 1950 where he raised his family. He was an active member of St. Johns Episcopal Church and the Ocean Springs community for the past 62 years. Recently due to health issues, he and his wife Carolyn moved to Ocean Springs. He was preceded in death by his son, William Beekman Howkins, Jr., his parents, Dr. John Smallbrook Howkins and Alice Huger Howkins, two brothers, John Smallbrook Howkins, Jr. and John Huger Howkins, and his first wife, Virginia B. Howkins. Survivors include his wife of ten years, Carolyn J. Sanders of Ocean Springs; son, Thomas Hayward Howkins of Ocean Springs; sister, Catherine Zelinkas of Baltimore, MD; brother, Gibson Huger of Savannah, GA along with granddaughters, Breanna Jean Howkins of Ocean Springs and Billy Brandice Wharton and a great-grandson, William Hunter Wharton both of Withams, VA. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at St. John's Episcopal Church, where friends may visit one hour prior to service. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.