William Douglas Hawksworth

This past Easter, April 5, the Mesa lost a high profile local figure. William Hawksworth aka Bill was born in White Plains, New York. His father, also William, had served in the British Merchant Navy throughout World War II. Bill Sr. Met Bill’s mother, Marjorie, a Barnard graduate, at a USO dance in New York City.

In 1956 Bill’s parents decided to move the family, including his baby sister, Wendy, to Santa Barbara via their old Studebaker, with a trailer towed behind. When they first arrived, they lived in an Eastside trailer park. In 1957, with a new baby on the way, they purchased their first home on Mesa School Lane. Things were pretty rural on the Mesa at that time. It was a place of large lots and undeveloped fields, Shoreline Drive did not go through. Beaches were close but often only accessed by trail.

The Mesa, in those years was perfect for the free range children of the times. Billy led the charge, exploring the spaces and beaches. Eventually, around age 12, along with his neighborhood friends, Bill became a founding member of the local Mesa Lane surfers. Long before the concrete and metal steps, nothing but a long, steep dusty trail provided access. The local boys also accessed Ledbetter Point before Shoreline Park was built and before Shoreline Drive was made continuous. They rode their bikes on trails through the wild grasses. The Mesa also provided good public schools. Bill attended Washington and Monroe elementary schools. He went to La Cumbria Jr. High, where he starred in a school play, as well as Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara City College.

While Bill and his friends were teenagers, they broadened their surf horizons by sneaking into the Hollister and Bixby Ranches, where they were chased by cowboys and occasionally had their boards confiscated. Times were different and adventurous. Bill took full advantage.

During the year 1966 his family was faced with a shocking tragedy. His father, William Sr., died suddenly, leaving his wife, Marjorie, with four young children ranging from 7 to 16. Bill was the oldest and feeling the weight of new responsibilities, blasted reel to reel Bob Dylan from what had been his father’s workshop. He was frightened for his family but also rebellious. He tried his hand at fishing and construction. In the end it was his mother who was able to shoulder the load. She earned a teaching credential. The following year she was hired as an English teacher at San Marcos High. Bill got a large chunk of his childhood back. His mother steered the course. As he matured, Bill became a builder and together they were able to build two houses on properties that Marjorie had invested in and wisely held on to. They are still family homes.

He became a licensed independent contractor, known for his innovative ideas. Bill was creative and he tried hands at sculpture and crafts. He was an entrepreneur. In the 70s he bought and sold the entire deck of the old Stearns Wharf after it had been closed due to a fire. He used some of the lumber on his own building projects. He loved to collect large and unusual items such as the Tiki from McNalls Building, a missile, a totem pole and among other prizes, large fishing casts: marlin, swordfish, and a very large shark.

Bill had an instinct for fun, for play, for the interesting, for the unusual, for humor and for adventure. He traveled in the United States, Europe, China, Central America and extensively in Mexico. He spoke fluent Spanish. He owned property in Santa Barbara, Mexico and Hawaii.

As a young man he was able to purchase land in the Hollister Ranch, allowing him to access his beloved surf breaks there. He served on the Hollister Ranch Owners Association. In addition to the Ranch, his dedication to surfing led to local Santa Barbara breaks including Rincon, Mesa Lane, and Hammonds, as well as breaks he experienced in his travels. He especially loved San Juanico BCS.

Bill was a large person with a large personality. If he came across disagreements, he stood his ground. He was like something out of the Old West, something that has gone out of style these days, something that is missed.

His passing marks the end of a Santa Barbara era. Strange how quickly an era passes. An era that is already greatly missed. A person that is also greatly missed.

William is survived by his siblings, Wendy, Lauren and Eric, all of the Santa Barbara Mesa.

A memorial BBQ will be held Saturday, September 26, in Shoreline Park across from Santa Rosa Lane.