Billy Watkins

Billy Francis Watkins

 Billy Francis Watkins was the only child of Gus Edward Watkins and Willie Belle Pack Watkins. He was born in Gulf, Texas on January 27, 1927 and spent the majority of his youth in Newgulf and Matagorda. He was introduced to fishing and hunting at a young age and was an avid sportsman for his entire life. He enjoyed and participated in many sports as a youth, and continued playing golf, hunting and fishing for as long as he could.

 Billy was a man who loved his family greatly and was their unquestioned leader. The valuesand integrity with which he lived were a model for his family to emulate. He led primarily by example in gentle but firm manner.

 The great love of his life was his wife of 51 years, Peggy, whom he married in 1953 after meeting on a blind date. Suffice it to say they were a team, and did everything in life together until her passing in 2014. His love for his 3 sons knew no bounds, and when reached the position of Grandad, he took on this new responsibility with the same great love, affection and care as he had for his children. He was fully supportive in all the sports and other events his children participated in.

 Billy served his country in World War Il as a radar operator on the Vella Gulf aircraft carrier, enlisting in the Navy at age 17 after graduating from Boling High School. He was accepted into a naval aviation program that was shuttered by the Navy when the outcome of the war was certain and it was determined that there would not be a need for additional pilots. 

 After the war, Billy enrolled in college and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1950, majoring in Geology. He returned to Newgulf to work for Texas Gulf Sulphur Company, and worked in the field department as a geologist until his retirement as Field Manager in 1987. He and Peggy lived in Newgulf until building a home in Wharton in 1994. He lived there until moving to Austin for the remainder of his life.

 Billy's greatest joy and purpose in life was in serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His passion for Jesus was unsurpassed by anything else, and after committing his life in 1970, he purposely made this the most important aspect of his life. He was active in many organizations in his pursuit of spreading the gospel, including the Emmaus program in the Methodist church, and in many Bible study groups with friends in numerous locations.

 Billy is preceded in death by his son Russell James Watkins, wife Peggy Watkins and his parents. He is survived by his sons Randall Lee Watkins and wife Roxanne of Chappell Hill, Kenneth Edward Watkins and wife Denise of Austin, grandchildren Briton Mitchell Watkins and wife Hannah, Stuart Houston Watkins, Cody Tyler Hastings, and great grandson Mitchell Perry Watkins.

 Visitation will be held on Friday December 6th 2024 at Wharton Funeral Home between 5-7. Service will be held on Saturday December 7th 2024 at the Funeral home at 11am with a graveside to follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com