Obituary of James Williams Hagins Sr.

James William Hagins, Sr. (Bill) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 4, 1946. He passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. He was the second of four children born to Mary E. Balu Hagins and James Hagins. Bill had a bigger than life personality and stature. He had a way of capturing people's attention and keeping them in conversation for hours. Cooking was Bill's fun time. He loved making succulent Bar-B-Que Ribs with his own secret sauce recipe. People fought over his delicious potato salad and famous buttermilk biscuits. His fried potatoes with garlic and onions would have people waiting by the stove just to get a taste. Bill graduated from Germantown High School in 1965. On July 25, 1996, he married Kathy Board. Through 27 years of marriage, they worked tirelessly together to raise their son James William Hagins Jr. (Billy) and daughter, Alicia. Bill started his career as a tool and die maker and mechanic, having worked for the Budd Company and Boeing Vertol, two of the largest industrial manufacturers in Philadelphia. He also worked as a cook and bartender who was always ready to tell a great story and offer great service to patrons. Bill later founded and operated J&J's Auto Repair business, combining his love and gift for fixing cars with the desire to be his own boss. As a result of impeccably rehabilitating the building where the repair business was located, Bill's carpentry and construction skills were in hot demand–setting the stage for him to start a successful home remodeling business that he operated for over 15 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed restoring classic cars and was a math whiz who loved numbers. Bill closely followed and loved to debate about current events and politics. He was also an avid fan of the PBS news show Now with Bill Moyers, western movies, and Flip Wilson's comedy routines. Bill loved his family and did his best to provide for them. He adoringly called Billy "you hot dog" with unwavering love, commitment and tenderness. Bill greatly enjoyed helping his daughter Alicia with many things, from fixing up her apartment in New York City to buying her first car. Bill loved his mother dearly and cared for her with the utmost dedication, compassion, and warmth. Bill also took his nephew Aaron under his wings, teaching him valuable life lessons and passing along his love for cars. Affectionately nicknamed "Bunyan" Bill had great strength and countless friends. Family knew that he would always "have your back" when needed. Out of a deep concern and desire to ensure people had a safe place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear, Bill routinely helped family, friends, and community members who were going through tough times. Bill is survived by his wife Kathy; his son Billy; his daughter Alicia and her husband, Irving; his grandchildren Madison and Kennedy; his brother Sonny (and Anna); his sister Barbara; his nieces Lisa, Stacey, and Jennifer; his nephew Aaron; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Bernard.