Alton "Al" Arnold Hawley

Alton “Al” Arnold Hawley of Bay City, formerly of Akron, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 while at Willows of Bay City. Al was born on April 20, 1938, in Kingston, the son of the late Meritt and Sarah (Hutchinson) Hawley. He attended the Orr-Moore one-room schoolhouse in Ellington Township and spent his young adulthood working alongside his family on the farm, where he developed the strong work ethic that would define his life.

In 1957, following a blind date, he married the love of his life, Beverly Roberts, at the Akron Methodist Church. Together, they shared forty-four wonderful years of marriage until Beverly's passing on January 16, 2001. In 2006, he was fortunate to find love again when he met his special friend, Sandy Wodek, who he spent ten joyous years with until her passing on August 31, 2016.

In 1966, he began working at Eaton/Grede Foundry while continuing to help maintain the family farm. He was able to dedicate thirty-two years to the foundry before retiring. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and looked forward to deer hunting each fall, a tradition he cherished for many years.

Al was a hardworking, dependable man who valued family, honesty, and a job well done. He lived a life of quiet strength and integrity and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Left to cherish Al’s memory are his children, Arnold (Khayyriyyah) Hawley, Jerry (Kris) Hawley, and Cindy Hawley; grandchildren, Dustin (Sarah), Matthew (Taylor), Heidi (Derrick), Tom, Theresa, Brent, Lakeyn; several great-grandchildren; siblings, Marlene and Frank; special niece and nephew, Melvin and Alaina Hawley; and many other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Al was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Dee Hawley.

A funeral service for Al will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Ransford Funeral Home of Caro with Rev. Michele Hile officiating. Burial will follow at Ellington Township Cemetery. Al’s family will present to receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Social “U”.