With heavy hearts, we share the news of the peaceful passing of Paul Byron Hawkins, a genuine free spirit who left this world after a brave fight with cancer.
Byron was born April 4, 1953, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Jim Hawkins and JoAnn Hawkins. He passed away March 12, 2025, at the age of 71.
Byron grew up in northeast Arkansas, graduated from Corning High School, then moved to DeSoto, Missouri, where he worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist. He brought laughter and camaraderie to everyone he worked with, and was always ready to “cut up” with his friends. In 1973 he married Joyce Spreckelmeyer and they had a daughter, Selena.
Never one to see the world as others did, he had a creative mind and the knack of a true “MacGyver,” capable of fixing almost anything with whatever materials he had on hand. In his later years, he perfected a unique art style that he proudly shared with anyone willing to take a moment to appreciate it-at local bars, VFW halls (often between karaoke sessions that he called “spitting in the microphone”), or with “the girls” at his credit union.
One of his favorite pastimes was offering kind words to complete strangers. He dubbed it “drive-by flower throwing” and it never failed to brighten someone’s day.
Byron is preceded in death by his father, Jim Hawkins and his second wife, Carla Burns Hawkins.
Byron is survived by his daughter, Selena [Hawkins] Myracle, her husband Jake, and two grandchildren: Kaleb Myracle and Maggie Myracle, all of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; his mother, JoAnn Hawkins of Joplin, Missouri, his two brothers: Michael Hawkins and Kenny Sisson and his wife Melinda of Farmington, Missouri, and his sister, Shannon Hawkins Wendt, and her husband Karl of Joplin, Missouri, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Though we are deeply saddened by his loss, we remember the man whose boundless creativity, quick wit, and giving spirit touched many lives. We hold on to the warmth and laughter he brought and find comfort in knowing that his legacy of kindness and imagination continues within each of us who loved him.
Online condolences can be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com