Obituary of John Winston Hawfield

John Winston Hawfield died December 3 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill after a brief illness. He was 53. His two sisters were with him when he died, and his brothers had been with him the evening before.

Born in Lima, Ohio, he was the eldest of six children of James and Joan Hawfield, who predeceased him. John moved to Raleigh when he was five. His elaborate and meticulous H.O. gauge train layouts and the beautifully-constructed forts he built in the woods were admired by all who saw them. From earliest childhood he possessed the mind of an engineer. 

He attended public schools, graduating from Broughton High School in 1983. His calculus teacher, Mrs. Nutt, once told his sister Jennifer, “Your brother was the finest mathematical mind I ever taught.” 

He went on to study civil engineering at NC State University and remained a loyal Wolfpack fan. He used his calculus skills for many years as a craftsman at Custom Canvas. He lived in Garner, NC, from 1995 until his death.

A self-reliant man of many strong opinions, John showed a softer side with his six nieces and nephews. He loved nothing more than holding a new infant from his extended family or letting a toddler lead him around to play.

John is survived by five younger siblings and their families:  Jennifer Hawfield Selvidge of Chapel Hill, Mark Hawfield of Lancaster, SC, Donovan Hawfield of Wake Forest, Johanna Hawfield Foster of Chapel Hill, and Wesley Hawfield of Winston-Salem.

A memorial service is planned for December 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill.

John’s family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, physicians, and staff at UNC Hospital for their exemplary and compassionate care.