Dean Hawkins

Dean Bonham was born in Johnson County, Texas on January 26, 1935 to Stanley Warren and Lois Irene Bonham. She passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Bedford, TX.

Dean lived on a farm between Joshua and Burleson until the family moved to Burleson. Her father was a carpenter, building houses, barns, and storage facilities around the Burleson area. She learned from her father the work ethics of working hard and “doing things right.” She graduated from Burleson High School in 1953. Dean earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dallas Baptist University in 1988.

She first met her future husband, William Edward, in 1942 when she was in the 1st grade. They met again at a high school party in Joshua in 1952 and were married on June 5, 1953, one week after graduating from high school. They lived in Fort Worth while Edward worked for Sinclair Oil. In 1955, her husband was drafted into the U.S. Army and she followed him to Fort Ord in California then to Germany until 1958. Dean moved back to Fort Worth, Texas when her husband returned to Sinclair Oil. Over the next 20 years, Dean lived in Tulsa, OK, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, then to Irving, TX in 1979. She returned to Burleson around 2010, living in her childhood home before moving into their final residence.

Dean had an extensive professional career. She worked as a secretary, administrative assistant, and administrative support staff for many organizations including Tulsa Public Schools, Dallas Public Schools, Exxon Mobil, Irving Mall, Harcourt School Publishers, and Mr. Tax. Dean was also an entrepreneur, sewing for the general public, including wedding dresses, men’s suits, and other formal attire. She was an owner/operator of Ye Olde Tin Shop for over 20 years, starting in Estes Park, CO before moving it to Burleson. She also operated a private income tax service for family and friends for over 30 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley Bonham and Lois Robinson (Bonham) Castleman, her husband of 70 years, William Edward Hawkins, and brothers Charles Bonham, Farrell Bonham, Bobby Bonham, and Cecil Bonham, sisters-in-law Diane Bonham, Gayle Bonham, and Patricia Bonham, nieces Angela Bonham and Natalie Sheridan, and nephew Greg Bonham.

Survivors include daughter Pamela Kaye Hawkins Lott (Ron), son William David Hawkins (Ursula), grandchildren Brandon Allan Lott (Chanse), Lyndsey Kaye Guzman (Ben), Tyler Ron Lott (Evelyn), William Barrett Hawkins (Brandice), and 6 great-grand kids. Also surviving her is one brother Murvin Bonham and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services are Monday, December 4, 10:00 AM at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Chapel in Cleburne. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM. Burial will be at Union Hill Cemetery, Joshua, Texas.