Mr. Clayton “Sonny” Hawkins, 87, of Alpharetta, GA died June 9, 2017. A Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, June 12, at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta. Interment with full military honors will be at Green Lawn Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Bottoms Hawkins; daughters, Judy Hawkins and Amy Hawkins; son, Jeff (Gail) Hawkins; grandson, Jay Hawkins; sisters, Martha Day and Janice Van Meter.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 11 from 2-5 PM at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA (770-645-1414.

Clayton “Sonny” Hawkins certainly had a long life in which he impacted many people and will be remembered as a great man in his community. As an eighth grader, Hawkins made a huge decision in his life to become a teacher. After graduating from Canton High School, Gordon Military Junior College, and North Georgia College, he served his country for two years in the United States Army. As a young soldier, he was promoted to Company Commander and awarded the Bronze Star during his stint in the Korean War.
Later, Hawkins began his teaching and coaching career in Cherokee County. After five years, he moved his young family to Alpharetta in 1959, where he began teaching at Milton High School. While at Milton, Hawkins taught multiple classes, coached junior varsity football, and girls’ basketball. In 1967, Hawkins became the Head of the Science Department at Roswell High School in Roswell, Ga. He taught physics and physical science for ten years.
During his time of teaching school, he earned his Masters of Physical Education at the University of Georgia as well as a Masters and Six-Year Degree in Science, and a Masters and Six-Year Degree in Counseling. Hawkins came back home to Milton High School in 1977 and served as a counselor, which he held until he retired. During this time, he coached basketball for some Milton boys, who did not make the Milton basketball team.
Clayton Hawkins began announcing Milton High School football games in 1980. Numerous plaques were presented to the “Voice of the Eagles” including ones from the Booster Club, football team, band, and cheerleaders. Upon his retirement in 1992, the Milton High Senior Class played a part in surprising Hawkins with the honor of naming the football stadium after him (Clayton “Sonny” Hawkins Stadium.) In addition, the Mayor of Alpharetta declared April 3, 1992 as Clayton “Sonny” Hawkins Day. Milton High School’s principal expressed a desire for Hawkins to continue announcing, which he did until the age of 70 for a total of 25 years.
​Due to his strong voice, Hawkins had been involved with Milton High School events as he was called to announce names at multiple graduating ceremonies and served as MC of the Miss MHS Pageants. Hawkins was highly honored to be asked to return to Milton as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2005 Closing Ceremony of the old Milton High School. In October of 2016, he was inducted into the first class of the Milton High School Hall of Fame.
​As a community leader, Hawkins was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, where he held the honorary title of Deacon Emeritus. He was active in his church, while serving on various committees and taught a number of Sunday School classes through the years. He wrote and published a book on the lives of each pastor of the church from 1905 to the present. Hawkins was also a member of the Optimist Club of Alpharetta. While a member there, he was presented an award for his contributions to the community.
Through the life path that Clayton “Sonny” Hawkins chose, his greatest desire was to make a difference in the lives of others. He certainly has done that and impacted thousands of lives. His footprint will be felt for many years to come.