Isiah M. Haskins Sr.

Isiah Maxwell (Bill) Haskins Isiah Maxwell Haskins, 91, peacefully went home to live in eternal peace with the Lord on Monday, December 7, 2020. Isiah Maxwell (Bill) Haskins was born on June 16, 1929, the oldest of nine children born to Mr. Samuel L Haskins, Sr., and Mrs. Easter E. Haskins. Bill was educated in the Isle of Wight Country School System followed by 12 years as a farmer, from 1943 to 1955 in the county of Isle of Wight. During this time, he married the late Mildred Evelyn Hicks on December 22, 1951, and to this union, four children were born, Karen Henderson (deceased), Rose Johnson, Isiah Jr. (Twyler), and Glynis Robertson (Wilbur). Wanting better for his family, he decided to enlist in the military where he served from 1955 to 1957 during the Korean conflict in the United States Army in the 101st Airborne Division, Scream Eagles. He trained in South Carolina and was later stationed at Fort Benning, GA. After his military career, Bill was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding as a rigger, specializing in the lifting and moving of large or heavy objects. In 1965, Bill was employed by Atlantic and Gulf as a longshoreman. He labored as a general longshoreman for twenty years, from 1965 to 1985. While working as a longshoreman, he was certified as a forklift operator and hustler operator. During this time, Bill was certified in brick masonry, adding a room onto his home, and laying the foundation himself. Before retiring as a longshoreman, Bill and Mildred purchased and operated LaRita Florist in Newport News, Virginia. They served the Newport News community and surrounding area for five years. In 1985, Bill retired and lived a life of leisure. He and his wife traveled the country, cruised the Caribbean, and enjoyed their golden years together until her passing October 14, 2012. During his retirement, Bill developed his skills in ceramics and was able to provide his family several pieces to decorate their homes. He became an expert Dominoes player and for many years would be found winning games at Nike Park in Smithfield. Other hobbies included crossword and word search puzzles, rides in the country, cooking, singing, and spending time with his grand and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Haskins, Sr., Easter Haskins, wife, Mildred Haskins, daughter, Karen Henderson, brother, Samuel Haskins, Jr., and sisters Mary Williams, and Dorothy Ford. He leaves to mourn his children, Rose Johnson, Isiah Haskins (Twyler), Glynis Robertson (Wilbur), siblings Elizabeth Byrd, Virginia Sydnor, Nelson Haskins (Ida), James Haskins (Louise) and Alvin Haskins (Annette), grandchildren, Aaron Henderson (Medina), Karrice Henderson, Chante Haskins, Samuel Haskins, Ryan Robertson, Sr., and Nicholas Robertson, great-grandchildren, Madison Henderson, Aaron Henderson, Jr., Isaiah Robertson, Ryan Robertson, II., Caleb Stith and a host of relatives and friends.