Bernard Manson Watkins

OBITUARY BERNARD MANSON WATKINS Bernard Manson Watkins, a longtime resident of Bolivar, passed away on June 19, 2006 at 9:52 PM in the Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar after a lingering illness at the age of 93 years 9 months and 28 days. He was born on August 22, 1912 in Cliquot, Polk County, MO the son of James Alonzo Watkins and Mary Frances Crawford Watkins. On November 14, 1941 Bernard was united in marriage to Evelyn Degraffenreid and they were married for 55 years. To this union one son was born, Robert Wayne Watkins. Bernard was drafted into the U. S. Army Air Corp in 1942 and received a medical discharge in 1945. He worked for 30 years at the M.F.A in Bolivar and the last 25 working years at Woods Supermarket in Bolivar, retiring in 1995. Bernard was a member of the Baracas Sunday School Class and the First Baptist Church in Bolivar. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evelyn in 1997, a sister Zelda Wollard and a step-brother, Robert Rinck. Surviving is one son, Dr. Robert W. Watkins and his wife Donna of Lees Summit, MO; two grandchildren, Matthew Watkins and wife Vanessa of Grain Valley, MO; Nicole Gaulden and husband David of Blue Springs, MO; 4 great grandchildren, Gabriela Watkins of Grain Valley, MO; Jessica Nixdorf and husband Ben of Blue Springs, MO; Catherine Gaulden and Sam Gaulden both of Blue Springs, MO; and 2 great great grandchildren, Alexis Grace Nixdorf and Hannah Nicole Nixdorf both of Blue Springs, MO. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 3:00 PM in the First Baptist Church in Bolivar with Rev. Billy Russell and Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Musical soloist will be George Baker with Susan Baker as the Pianist. Musical Selections will be "Take My Hand Precious Lord", "Amazing Grace", and "How Great Thou Art". Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Ken Bruce, George Bruce, David Gaulden, Matt Watkins, Ben Nixdorf, and Bill Jones. Honorary Casketbearers will be the Baracas Sunday School Class. Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the Flemington AMVETS Post # 114. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Choir Fund % Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO 65613 Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com. PDF Printable Version

Bernard Manson Watkins

August 22, 1912 - June 19, 2006