William P. Hankins II, SGT-US Army “Desert Storm Veteran”-Combat Medic, 39, of Tampa, FL died at the Town and Country Hospital, Tampa, FL on September 19, 2009 form natural causes. His service is 11:00 AM, Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Mayfair United Methodist Church, 1409 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN 33664 (423-378-9620) with Pastor Val Rodriguez, to officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until service times. Graveside services are 2:00 PM, Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, Bldg. # 117, corner of Lamont and Sydney Streets, VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN 37684 (423-979-3535)with the United States Army Military Honor Guard, officiating.
A native of Kingsport, TN and a local Tampa, FL resident, William was a Methodist and a service connected disabled veteran. During his service to our nation as a “Combat Medic”. William received the following awards: Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal with 2 awards; National Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; Southwest Asia Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Southwest Asia Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait); Joint Meritorious Unit Award; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Medal; Overseas Service Medal; Expert Marksmanship Badge (Grenade) and a Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge -Rifle M-16.
Predeceased in death by his father, William P. Hankins Sr. William is survived by his mother, Jane F. Hankins of Tampa, FL; two daughters: Angelica and Ariana Hankins, both of Claremont, FL; and his sister, Jessica M. Rivera of Tampa, FL; his three aunts Cathy Forbes, Kingsport, TN, Grace Rodriguez, Garner, NC, Dot Forbes, Ocoee, FL; and too many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins to mention.
Please send all floral arrangements directly to the church.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
Jane & Michelle,
May your pain ease with the comfort of knowing Bill’s suffering is over. He is in a better place. God knows what he is doing. You two are like family to me and you both know this. I am so sorry for your loss. Jane, as a Mother of two boys I feel your hurt. My heart aches for you. Let God heal you. We will all reunite together one day. Bill is in a better place. RIP William Hankins, II
Love, Christy
Jane, you know that I love you and I will drive up for the funeral. I know you were very proud of him and will miss him. But God is taking good care of him now.
Jane and Michelle,
We are so sorry to hear about Bill. This is a complete shock. We had talked to him a few months back and he had alot of plans for his future. He was an awesome friend and always took the time to come by and visit. He definitely be missed and the two of you as well as his girls will be in our prayers. Please call if you need anything. You can get our number from Christy.
Ronnie and Cindy Hosmer
Jane and Michelle, even though it has been years since I have seen you,that doesn’t mean that I don’t think about you often. I will never forget Bill or all the fun times we had growing up through high school and even keeping in touch when he went overseas. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his daughters. R.I.P. Bill as I now know there is another angel looking down upon us from heaven…..till we meet again:) Love, Kim
Mish and Jane I’m really sorry for your lost and for angelica and arianna. I know Bill love each one of you all with all he’s heart and I’m sow sorry he’s life was cut short from all the good things in life. (The wind that whispers through the trees, the brightest star at night, a rainbow on a dismal day,a shaft of golden light, all these are signs you send to me, a message from above that even death can’t break the bond of son and mother love!!!
Jane and Michelle….it has been years since we all ran the streets of Golden Isle Dr but my did we all have some awesome times many which have stayed with my sisters and I through the years even with all the moving we did!I lost my husband a few months back which has been so hard on not only myself and child but my entire family! I ran into Bill or should I say talked to Bill a few years ago on the phone when he lived in Clermont! I was glad to hear his voice since the last time I had seen him is when we went to the beach years ago and buried him in the sand!I have had a very hard time getting through the days and nights but i thank God every day for my beautiful daughter who hee shines through everyday! Those two beautiful girls can and will do the same for the both of you as time passes coming from me who lives it every day without a choice!Laugh and cry when needed but remember one thing he is no longer HURTING and with strength you can and will get through it!I struggle with it everyday as we all will but depend on each other to catch you when you start to fall…I will not tell you it gets easier but you can and will be at peace if you allow yourself to know he is with a few good men to include my husband and best friend ever, Gene Wadkins! He served many good years and they both will continue to take care of us! May God bless both of you through this! as he has done for me somehow….we all have the best of good memories of Bill and well we will continue to take and carry them everyday from this point on when we are all reunited in the best place ever! Kelly