Sept.
16, 1920 - Feb. 4, 2010MISHAWAKA - Willis E. Watkins, 89, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 8:02 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Willis was born on September 16, 1920, in Jimtown, IN, to Frank and Maggie (Weiss) Watkins. Willis married Margaret M. Himebaugh, who preceded Willis in death on September 30, 2007. Willis is survived by his children, Billy G. (Rhonda) Watkins of Taylor, S.C., Greta K. (Charles) Pall of Chesterton, IN, and Bradford J. (Pamala) Watkins of Fairfax Station, VA; seven grandchildren, Jill Watkins, Karen Watkins, Ron (Jennifer) Eby, Angela Payton, Annette Sharkey, Ashley (Erin) Watkins and Shauna (Adam) Farrar; nine great-grandchildren, Sarah Weaver, Emily Eby, Alex Sharkey, Earl Scott (Roxanne) Sharkey, Michelle Sharkey and Rick Sharkey, Benjamin Watkins, Ethan Watkins and Lilian Farrar; and one sister, Phyllis (Steve) Kapano of Covina, CA. Willis was also preceded in death by six sisters, Evelyn Love, Dorothy Bashore, Grace Holben, Ruth Mary Watkins, Edna Schupert and Mable M. Rose; and by two brothers, Rynaldo Watkins and George Watkins. Willis retired from Dodge Mfg. as Industrial Relations Manager after 47 years of service. Willis was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of South Bend First Church of The Nazarene, Mishawaka Lions Club, Indiana Umpires Association and the Eberhart Men's Golf League. Family and friends may call today from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services for Willis will take place at 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 8th, at the South Bend First Church of The Nazarene, 51690 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, where there will be visitation from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Pastor David Bartley will officiate the funeral services with burial to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, IN, where Mishawaka V.F.W. Post #360 will conduct military rites. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the church.