 The 7th of 8 children born to the late Dan Lee and Mamie Vivian Hawkins, Walter Lee Hawkins was born on May 18, 1949 in Oakland, California.Hawkins was the brother of Edwin Hawkins (d. 2018) , Marava Ladale Hawkins (d. 1988), Carol Lee Hawkins (d. 2020), Feddie Joyce Hawkins, Jervis Ersell Hawkins (d. 1952), Daniel Lee Hawkins (Marcia) and Lynette Gail Hawkins-Stephens (Reginald).Bishop Hawkins was married to Tramaine Hawkins from 1971 until their divorce in 1994.