Billy Watkins

Billy Watkins, 94 of Bolivar, Missouri died July 1, 2011 at the Colonial Springs Healthcare in Buffalo, Missouri. Billy was born February 18, 1917 in Hickory County near where Pomme Terre dam is located. His parents were Walter Herbert and Edna Cowan Watkins. He graduated high school in Weaubleau class of 1933. During the depression of the 1930s he went to California with friends doing work for Davey Tree Surgery. He came back to Hickory County when he was drafted into the Army in March of 1941. He served in South Pacific until he was discharged in June 1945; amounting to over 4 years of service. After his Army service he returned and started work for Southwest Electric and retired from after 37 years. During that time he met his future wife (Beulah Lower). They were married on December 30, 1945, to this union they were married 65 years. Billy belonged to the Bolivar Kiwanis Club, VFW and was a life member of the Masonic Lodge #288. He received the Distinguished Service Award for Kiwanis in 1991 and the Distinguished Community Service from the Bolivar Rotary Club in 2004. He was a member of the Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar, Missouri. Preceding him in death were his parents; Walter Herbert and Edna Cowan Watkins, sister Alta Ruckman Wilson and infant brother. He is survived by his wife; Beulah of the home, his nephews; Johnny Ruckman and wife Vivian, Clyde Ruckman and wife Phyllis, B.J. Ruckman and wife Jodie, Roy Ruckman and wife Wanda, Jimmy Ruckman and wife Donna, Nieces Hellen Jarrett, sister-in-law; Bertha L. Periman & husband Everett, brother-in-laws; Bernard Lower and wife Helen, John B. Lower and wife Claudia, James R Lower and wife Anna Lee, Fred L. Lower and wife Wilma Jean, Larry J. Lower and Gerry Martin, sister-in-laws; Betty L. Sexton, Carol Ann Hewes & husband Bob. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening July 6, 2011 from 6-7 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Billys life will be held Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar with Rev. Gary Urich and Bro. John Brown officiating. Musical selections will be Amazing Grace by Kira Bradley, When We All Get To Heaven and Old Rugged Cross. Casketbearers will be Johnny Ruckman, Clyde Ruckman, Billy Joe Ruckman, Roy Ruckman, Jim Ruckman and Hellen Jarrett. Honorary casketbearers will be Bernard, John, James, Fred and Larry Lower. Burial will follow in the Barren Creek Cemetery just west of Bolivar with Military Honors provided by AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice, The Barren Creek Cemetery, The Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar, Missouri or to the Bolivar Senior Center. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Billy Watkins

February 18, 1917 - July 1, 2011