Lonnie Lee “Bill” Watkins
Lonnie Lee “Bill” Watkins, 82, of Charleston, formerly of Dothan and Sugar Grove, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, at Beckley VAMC.
Born July 3, 1931, he was the son of the late Ambrose and Bernice Toney Watkins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty J. Flanagan Watkins; three brothers, Charles Watkins, Robert Watkins, and Joseph Watkins; and one sister, Charlene Watkins.
Survivors include two daughters, Myra “Susan” Watkins of Charleston, and Michelle Griffith and husband, Jeff, of Cool Ridge; two sons, James Watkins and wife, Sandra, of Shepherdstown, and Michael Watkins and wife, Linda, of Kearneysville; one sister, Ida Mae Williams of Scarbro; five grandchildren, Emily Lord Watkins-Kern of Cambridge, England, Noah Watkins of Frederick, Md., Trista Watkins of Maysville, Ashley Watkins of Charleston, and Nicole Griffith of Cool Ridge; five great-grandchildren, Elyssa Kimple Watkins, Peyton Longerbeam, Elyah Leslie, William Cook, and Lonnie Cook.
Mr. Watkins loved his family; he also enjoyed traveling, auto mechanics, and NASCAR, and especially enjoyed a good laugh. Mr. Watkins was a U.S. Army Master Sergeant Retired, with 24 years of service to his country. Following his military retirement, Mr. Watkins worked the next 20 years at the Reagan National Airport. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Charles Town, WV, and he was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel in Beckley, with Chaplain Mark Iobst, and Chaplain Paul Bricker officiating. Burial followed in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, where the American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard had military graveside rites.
Marcus Boone, Robert Estepp, Paul Jarvi, Danny Howell, Nichole Hylton, Erik Reynolds, Matthew Gavin, Don Penn, Shaun Longerbeam, Noah Watkins and Jason Cook served as pallbearers.
Donations can be made to Beckley VAMC Recreation Department, 200 Veterans Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, has the honor of serving the Watkins family.