Billy Joe Watkins Sr.

Billy Joe Watkins, Sr., 80, a resident of Calhoun for the last 18 years, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in a Chattanooga hospital. He was a member of Lamontville Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954 and received 2 Purple Hearts. He was a 32 degree Mason in Lodge #42 in Tucker, GA and retired from Heavy Quip in 1993. He was a mechanic for over 30 years working with heavy equipment. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Sylva Watkins ; siblings: Evelyn Young, Faye Loveless, Paul Watkins, Waylon Watkins and Bertha Lene Cannon. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Nellie Christine Watkins of Calhoun; 3 children: Billy Wayne Watkins and wife, Priscilla of Taylorsville, IN; Billy Joe Watkins, Jr. of Cleveland; and Wendy Watkins-Bailey and husband, Greg of Tucker, GA; 4 grandchildren: Brian Watkins, Shawn Watkins, Mindy Watkins and Brandy Watkins; siblings: Leon Watkins and wife, Myrtle of Linden, TN; Rose and husband, Jason Smith of Rainsville, AL; Betty Christian and husband, Herb of Ider, AL; Aaron Watkins and wife, Toni of Dade City, FL and Troy Watkins and wife, Pam of Brandon, FL and several nieces and nephews; and special grandson, Nickolaus D. Selipanov “Cole”. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with The Reverend Ronnie Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens – East in Hamilton Co. with military honors. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. His family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Watkins family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.