William P. Watkins, Jr., age 90, of 34 Watkins Road in Highlands, NC, died October 11, 2013. Born on December 15, 1922 in Greenwood, SC, Mr. Watkins was the son of the late William Paul Watkins and Genevieve Hunter Watkins. He attended the public schools in Greenwood and graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC in 1943, receiving a B.S. degree in business administration. He was inducted into the U.S. Army of World War II prior to graduation, received his commission on December 2, 1943 and served in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he remained in the Army Reserves for a number of years. Mr. Watkins was associated with Abney Mills for 34 years, where he was Corporate Controller and a member of the Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of Directors of Mutual Savings and Loan Association and United Savings Bank. Mr. Watkins was a lifelong Presbyterian and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, SC, where he served as Deacon and Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer and teacher. In his community of Greenwood, Mr. Watkins served as President of the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Board of Trustees for School District 50, Vice-President and Board of Trustees of Community Chest, Chamber of Commerce Committee Chairman, Campaign Chairman and President of the Community Chest of Greenwood County, President of Greenwood Historical Society, served on the Advisory Committee of Piedmont Technical College, Board of Directors of Greenwood Country Club, District Vice-Chairman of Boy Scouts Of America and Director of Greenwood YMCA. While residing in Greenwood, he was a member of the Greenwood Country Club. He retired in 1980 and moved to his family’s summer home in Highlands, NC, in 1982. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Highlands, NC, where he was an Elder and Treasurer and a member of the Faith and Practice Sunday School Class. Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peggy Scott Watkins, a daughter Cynthia (Mrs. W.T.) Rice of Raleigh, NC; son, William Paul Watkins, III of Cashiers, NC; and a granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth Rice, now serving as an officer in the United States Navy. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with Dr. Lee Bowman officiating. The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Watkins family. Tags: 1943
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