The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) informed its membership that Bill Hawley, former owner of Hawleywood RV Ranch in Dodge City, Kansas, passed away July 1, eleven days before his 82nd birthday.
Hawley was deeply committed to the RV industry over his entire career. He was an RVDA Board Director and the Kansas state delegate. Bill received the RVDA Chairman’s Service Award in 2010 for his work exempting RVs from Consumer Finance Protection Bureau regulations. He also participated in the Parts Task Force for the RV industry’s Committee on Excellence. Despite living three hours from a major airport, he never missed a single meeting. Bill also led the effort to lower the personal property tax on RVs in Kansas. He attended the RVIA show in Louisville for 41 consecutive years, even planning hip surgery around the event one year.
“Bill brought a clear-eyed, thoughtful approach to his service on the RVDA Board,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. “Through all the ups and downs of the business, he never lost sight of the big picture, and he carried it with a steady sense of humor that made even the toughest conversations easier. His leadership and good nature will be deeply missed by all his friends and colleagues.”
In 1946, brothers Cliff and Norman Hawley started the Hawley Brothers Venetian Blind business in Dodge City. Cliff later bought out his brother’s portion of the business. Cliff beganmaking pickup toppers and purchased components from Winnebago Industries. Bill worked in another industry after college. He then moved back to Dodge City in 1973 to work in the business with his father, becoming the owner of the business in 1983 when Cliff and Dorothy retired.
For many years, the dealership sold both Itasca and Winnebago motorhomes and was recognized in the Winnebago Circle of Excellence for 20 years. The dealership also hosted a Winnebago-Itasca Travelers rally every year for over 30 years. He received Fleetwood awards for 8 years, and many other manufacturer awards. The dealership exhibited at the Kansas State Fair for 35 years.
Four generations of Hawleys worked in the business, including Bill’s grandmother Anne Hawley and Bill and Karen’s daughters, Tammy and Joy. In the fall of 2018, Bill and Karen made the decision to close the business. When Bill and his wife Karen closed the business in 2018, it was the oldest family-owned Winnebago Industries RV dealership in the country.
Hawley’s funeral is scheduled for July 10 at 10 a.m. Central Time at Ziegler Funeral Chapel-Dodge City, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801.
For more information about arrangements, visit the Ziegler Funeral Chapel website. Donations can be made to the Dodge City AMBUCS in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave, Dodge City, Kansas 67801.
