Born Wilbur Hawley on Nov. 5, 1915, and died in February 1975, according to the SSDI. He grew up in Oakland, and attended University High School there. His talent was recognized from an early age. From the Oakland Tribune of August 21, 1933: Young Artist Wins Honors Since the age of 9, Wilbur Hawley, 17-year-old graduate of University High School, has been drawing things. And this penchant for “drawing things” today had won him a year’s scholarship at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Hawley, who lives at 678 Aileen Street and is the son of Mrs. Mary Hawley at that address, first won city-wide attention when a student at the high school. He painted a mural depicting the school, the activities of students and the “Spirit of Achievement,” which won recognition. The mural now is being shown at an Oakland department store. Later, he exhibited his drawings and paintings with several other high school artists throughout the State and was adjudged the first artist in all the high senior grades in California. This won for him the year’s scholarship. In addition, young Hawley has made several prize-winning posters, designed maps, candy box covers, greeting cards and other things. And from the July 15, 1940 Oakland Trib: OAKLAND MAN WINS HONORS New honors were accorded Wilbur “Pete” Hawley, 24, former Oakland man and graduate of University High School, last week when he was asked to design sets for the “Political Scandals of 1940,” a play to be presented at the Democratic National convention in Chicago. A year ago, Hawley won the highest honor available for a commercial artist, the merit award for the best design of any advertisement in a National magazine, given him for the year 1938 by the Art Directors’ Club of New York. More at http://todaysinspiration.blogspot.nl/2007/07/pete-hawley-king-of-cute.html undefined

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