Louis Bertrand Hanks, Sr., age 96, of Winfield, Alabama, passed away November 23, 2021. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Louis was a member of Winfield First Baptist Church where he was a deacon emeritus and served the church in many capacities. A World War II veteran, Louis was a Sargent T3 in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during the Philippine Campaign.
Born and raised in Jefferson County, Alabama, near Birmingham, Mr. Hanks was one of the founders of Continental Conveyor established in Winfield in 1959. Louis held the position of Chief Engineer and later served as the Vice President of Continental Western-a subsidiary of Continental Conveyor in Sherman, Texas. A jack-of-all-trades with an adventurous spirit, Louis excelled in a vast array of skills and activities including leadership, construction, scouting, fishing, international travel, gardening, and tinkering with his tractor.
Louis and his wife, Margaret, celebrated 78 years of marriage. They were bonded together in a special way from the age of 16 when they were teenage sweethearts until the age of 96 taking care of each other as best they could. Always inseparable partners, Margaret and Louis loved each other deeply.
Growing up during the Great Depression and serving in World War II, forged in Louis a can-do spirit and confidence that served him well during his life. He leaves a legacy of exceptional love for his family, church, and country and he exemplified a life devoted to faith in Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Grace Hanks; sister, Flora Sargent; brother, Virgil Hanks; daughter, Gail Patterson; and son, Gary Hanks.
Mr. Hanks is surviving by his wife, Margaret Hanks; sons, Thomas Hanks, Louis Hanks and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Hanks; grandchildren—Stacey Sullivan, Jack Sullivan (Michelle), Amy Watford (Brad), TJ Hanks, Mandy Peterson (Matt), Jonathan Hanks (Jamie), Andrew Hanks (Courtney); and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service for Mr. Hanks will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 12:00 noon from the Winfield First Baptist Church. The family will receive relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon (service time). Rev. Paul Murphy will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Winfield First Baptist Church building fund.
Due to Covid the family ask that mask be worn.
Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Hanks family.
