Ward L. Hawkins, 74, a native Nevadan of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025.
Ward was born on May 1, 1951, in Reno, Nevada, to Ralston Oliver and Romietta Ward Hawkins. He grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside his three brothers. It was also in Las Vegas that he met his lovely wife, Karen Cooper, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and adventure.
Ward graduated from St. Anne Grade School, Bishop Gorman High School, and the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology.
His work took him and his family to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he raised his three daughters. He eventually retired after years of service in nuclear testing and on-site inspection for Los Alamos National Laboratory, a career that allowed him to travel the world. In 2014, he served as the Scenario Task Force Chairman and Control Team Leader for the international Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty On-Site Inspection Field Exercise in the country of Jordan. He and his LANL team were awarded NNSA Excellent Service Medals for their fieldwork.
New Mexico was the perfect place for Ward to explore his love of the outdoors—fishing, mountain biking, skiing, and camping. He found immense joy in sharing those passions with his family. A patient teacher and steady presence, Ward believed his daughters were capable of taking on any challenge that came their way. He taught his girls to be strong, kind, and resilient, leading by quiet example. With his calmdemeanor and gentle spirit, he embodied what it meant to be a true gentleman—always carrying a handkerchief ready for tears, spills, cold hands, or whatever his girls needed.
Ward was their soccer coach, their hero, and their calm in any storm. He had a gift for fixing things—bikes, broken toys, tough moments, and sometimes even broken hearts—with patience and presence. His kindness and warmth left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Ward was preceded in death by his brother Barry, and his parents, Ralston and Romietta
Hawkins.
He is survived by his devoted wife and lifelong partner, Karen Hawkins, who remained lovingly by his side through every chapter; his brothers Dennis and Craig Hawkins of Las Vegas, Nevada; and his three beloved daughters: Stacey Castille (and her husband Dan Castille, and their children Jakob, Sammy, and Molly), Leslie Faye Hawkins, and Jessica Hoffer (and her husband Phil Hoffer, and their sons Ralston, Lincoln, and Maverick).
Ward’s grandchildren were the joy of his later years—each carrying forward a piece of his strength, humor, and heart.
We welcome all who knew and loved Ward to a Celebration of Life at Fuller Lodge on Saturday, November 29th, at 2:00 PM MST.
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” – Joyce Meyer
Please visit www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to leave stories, pictures, and condolences for
the family to cherish.