William Christopher Hawes
HAWES — William Christopher, age 66 years, peacefully died after a long and courageous struggle with cancer, on July 5th, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Born in Greenville, Pennsylvania on May 1st, 1954 to parents John Charles Hawes and Jean Ann Thomas, Chris was the second of six children. He completed his undergraduate degree in Economics and Art at Wittenberg University and received an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. Chris married his beloved wife Cathleen Marie Cleary on June 19th, 1982. Together they raised children; Christopher Cleary Hawes, Caroline Cathleen Hawes MD, and Matthew Michael Hawes.
Chris worked in the petro-chemical industry for over 30 years and was employed by Ineos O&P USA. In his earlier career, Chris worked for Sohio, Standard Oil, and BP plc. He was admired for his intelligence, leadership, and vision. His adult life was bookended by artistic creativity in painting, sketching, and ceramics.
Chris was preceded in death by his father John Charles Hawes and his brother Richard Thomas Hawes. He is survived by his wife Cathy; children Chris (Rachel), Caroline, and Matt; as well as cherished granddaughters Rowan and Elowen. In addition, he is survived by his mother Jean; Brother Scott; sisters Ann Evans (Bill), Cate Geiwitz (Larry), and Maureen Geary (John); and many nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, co-workers and friends.
The family would like to especially thank the team at MD Anderson Cancer Center, led by Dr. Christopher Logothetis MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’ name to MD Anderson Cancer Center or Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Houston, Texas at a later date. The deceased will be interred with a Catholic graveside service at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, Ohio on Saturday July 18th, 2020.
Cathy,
We are so sad to hear this and want you to know we are here for you. I am so very sorry and very grateful that your whole family is together.
Love in Christ,
Greg and Janet Helma
Sending prayers your way at this difficult time. May The Lord give you the strength and peace you need, With our thoughts and deepest condolences.
I went to high school with Chris. I’ll always remember him for his smile and wit. He was so smart and intensely curious. And I remember his love of art as well. He was very talented. I am glad to hear what a wonderful family he has and that he had the joy of grandchildren. He is gone too soon. My thought and prayers are with you all. He was a special person.
Cathy Hawes and Family,
It has been a long time since we last met. I got news of Chris’s passing and was deeply saddened, but wanted to share with you my sympathies and remembrances of Chris.
I had the privilege of working with Chris since BP bought Amoco. We became closer as Ineos formed O&P USA following BP’s sale of the petrochemical businesses to Ineos. We moved from Chicago together as we started our Ineos adventure together and worked nearly 12 years together in Ineos.
Over these many years I knew Chris as a great husband, father and christian example in how he related to people. Chris was a key team member in helping shape the company as it formed. He was a key leader and a key part of the company’s success While our contact decreased after my retirement in 2018, I will always remember him as a great team mate and most importantly as a friend to me.
There is a verse from the Bible that I find comfort in. It is taken from Timothy 4:7-8. In my mind it applies to Chris.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
I hope you find comfort in it as well.
Chris will be missed, but not forgotten by the many lives he positively influenced in his journey in this life. I am thankful he was in mine.
I pray for your peace and comfort as you mourn his loss.
Dennis
Dennis Seith
Cathy,
I’ve been trying to think of what to say for a couple of days now. After I thought I had it down, I called you yesterday to try to express my condolences, heard Chris’s voice on your voicemail message, and was overcome with emotion.
I first met Chris in 2004 at BP and have considered him a friend since. Chris and I had a lot in common beginning with being born in 1954 in western Pennsylvania. In over 10 years of working together at Ineos he was the consummate coworker, one I knew I could ALWAYS count upon. And it was clear from our many discussions that he was a very good man who loved his family deeply. He was especially proud of his children. I will miss him very much.
Linda and I pray that the Lord will comfort you and your family in your loss.
My deepest sympathies.
I have known Chris for many years and one of my favorite memories is from when we first met – Cleveland in the late 80’s. We were in the “pink palace” on the 32nd floor and heard someone trudging down the hall. It was so loud we expected to see a 300 lb man come around the corner – but it was Chris. Still wondering how such a slender guy made that much noise. Thankful for his footsteps in my sand and hope the pain of his absence is swiftly replaced with your sweet memories.
Chris will be missed.
I worked with Chris for many years, starting at Sohio in Cleveland. His dedication to “doing things right” and desire to “find a better way” were personally inspirational to me. I learned a lot from Chris, and will miss his leadership in our team.
I wish comfort for the Hawes family in this great loss.
Cathy Hawes and Family,
I received the news of Chris’ passing. I am so terribly sorry for your loss and want to offer my condolences.
Chris and I first met when I joined BP Logistics in Naperville in 2002. I worked in Texas and we started working daily together in the Marina View offices when INEOS formed in 2004.
Throughout the years I often went to Chris for advise and he became a friend and mentor to me. We liked to pick on each other and I always teased him about wearing a turtle neck in Houston.
I try to follow his example of hard work and loyalty. I will miss him and think about him often. I know he is with his Lord and Saviour and is working hard for the Kingdom of God.
Blessings,
Jeff Denson and Family
Cathy and family: I was saddened to learn of Chris’s passing. I have many fond memories of working together with Chris during our days at Sohio/BP in the 1980’s-90’s. He was a bundle of energy and I would occasionally have to pause and remind him to slow down and relax….he would smile and agree. His integrity was unquestionable and he was a team player always. I could count on him to provide well-reasoned and creative ideas for many of our business projects and he loved to crunch the numbers. I will always remember his humility and self deprecating sense of humor. He worked tirelessly and set a great example for others. Carol and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike and Carol Lombardi
Cathy,
All of your tennis girls are so so sorry to hear of this, and have you in our hearts.
Cathy,
Chris and I first met when he interviewed to join our International team in the early 90’s. I’m glad he took the plunge and joined the International Chems business. Our paths were intertwined for almost 15 years. Others have already commented on his drive and commitment and I’m forever grateful for having the opportunity to collaborate for so many years with Chris.
Diane and I offer our deepest condolences to you and your family. May his memory forever be a blessing.
Jared
Chris was loyal and sweet.
Cathy: No words can replace the feeling of loss. You have the comfort of your family and faith to keep you strong.
I will say a prayer for you and your family.
We all had good times at Wittenberg which I will never forget.
Cathy and the entire Hawes Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you.
I had the pleasure and honor of knowing and working with Chris as a colleague for over 15 years. I especially valued Chris the last two years, as his direct supervisor, for the way he just “took care of things”. I will greatly miss his knowledge, experience, insights, vision, and understanding. He was a strong leader and implemented many processes, procedures, and changes that will be us for a long time.
I’m sure you all will miss him a lot more given his dedication to family.
My wife and I pray for peace for your family during this trying time.
Sincerely,
Cathy,
I‘m so sorry to hear that we’ve lost Chris. I retired from his Logistics team at Ineos many years ago, but still have fond memories of his wry humor, his relentless curiosity, his constant drive to improve everything he touched. He was a great boss – straightforward, honest, dependably fair, and always willing to consider a different perspective. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with him, and I thank you for sharing him with us. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Chris was a good friend during our childhood in Greenville, and I’ve thought of him fondly many times since. He was smart, artistic, and a Good Guy…the quintessential Eagle Scout (he earned that by age 14).
Peace be with him and all of you.
David Read, Towson MD