He later received a Bachelor of Science degree from The Citadel in 1958 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1963.
He was a veteran student at The Citadel and concurrently worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard where he held the position of Leadingman Electronics.
[1][2] On June 5, 1979, Hawkins was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 92 Stat.
He served as Chief Judge from 1990 to 1993, assuming senior status on October 1, 1993.
Hawkins served in that capacity until his death, at his home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on July 20, 2005.