Gary D. Hawver

Age 74. Beloved husband of Patricia. Loving father of Darlene (Kevin Bilbrey) Hawver and Jeremy (Maria) Hawver. Dear brother of Jan (late Dave) Davies, Joyce (Jim) Johnson, Maureen (late Mark) Bright, Barry (Laurie) Hawver, Terry Hawver, late William (late Pam) Hawver and the late Dennis (Barb) Hawver. Grandfather of Gabriela, Nathaniel, Audrina, Noelle and Mabel Hawver, Milo and Samuel Bilbrey. Preceded in death by his parents Marie and William Hawver.

Family Tribute~

Gary David Hawver, aged 74, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 26, 1952, in Detroit, MI, Gary’s life was a testament to love, family, faith, and courage. A graduate of Holy Redeemer Catholic High School, he excelled in varsity sports of basketball, football and cross country. In 1979, he married the love of his life, Patricia, and they immediately welcomed two children. He faithfully fulfilled his role as a provider and worked tirelessly for 30 years as a telecommunications lineman. After retirement, his energy knew no bounds as he passionately embraced his true calling as a Historical Presenter at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

Gary's genuine desire to build a human connection rooted in authenticity, humor and peace defined arguably his strongest characteristic. He always greeted you with a smile and once you departed his presence, it was almost impossible not to have that same smile on your face. This behavior was a selfless act and more often than not, his intentions were to make you feel special, comfortable and ultimately, loved. He was relentless in his pursuit to generate a laugh and although his desire to be right was at times very strong, it was never a more powerful attribute than his desire to be kind. His ability to forgive was undeniably out of this world.

Gary's crowning achievement however did not lie in the schools, titles or personality traits that he held. His proudest endeavor was the relationships that he sought with his seven grandchildren. They eventually became the center of his world and no obstacle could keep him away from the birthday parties, soccer games and theatre performances that colored the last 18 years of his life. Even his own children stopped calling him Dad, and he was simply addressed by all as Grandpa. He understood that he would eventually go home to Jesus and knew the importance of leaving behind a powerful legacy in the minds of these young children. Mission accomplished.

Gary's many interests included: reading (no subject matter off limits), foreign-language films, astronomical star patterns, French impressionist art, Einstein’s theory of general relativity, getting lost in a big city, an unhealthy obsession with the billions of transistors in mobile devices, self-taught piano and guitar mastery, reciting poetry, Detroit sports, Bob Seger, and most importantly, the daily decision to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure his wife always understood that nothing was more important than their marriage and her safety.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory.

Visitation for Gary will be from 2:00pm-8:00pm Monday - May 18, 2026 with 6:00pm Scripture Service at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park (313-382-1150).

Funeral Mass 12:00pm Tuesday - May 19, 2026 (In state from 11:30am) at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 9000 Laurence (at Wick), Allen Park.

Interment Michigan Memorial Park.