BOURBON – Ernest E. “Ernie” Watkins, 91, Morganton, N.C., and formerly of Bourbon, passed away Dec. 4, 2013. He was born Nov. 16, 1922, in Marshall County, to Henry and Catherine “Kate” Miller Watkins. In 1945, he married the love of his life, Eleanor Bailey Watkins, who survives. They were married 68 years. A lifelong resident of the Marshall County area, he enjoyed golf, bowling and horseshoes. He was a graduate of Bourbon High School in 1941. After graduation he worked at the following; 1945 at Sponseller Construction; 1950-1968 for Parker Shell gas station and Plymouth Dairy; 1959-1966, served as Bourbon Township trustee and assessor; 1960-1963 with reorganization of the school; 1968-1988 at Triton School Corporation as maintenance director. He was proud of his work and accomplishments at the school. It was “impeccable.” He later worked for Ball Auction Service from 1995-2013 where he could be found helping in any way he could, helping set-up for sales. He was honored for his service to the school by the dedication of the Ernie Watkins Pavilion at Triton High School in 2012. He was a charter member of Country Church of Bourbon from 1965 -2010 until he and his wife moved to North Carolina. He served as the building director of the church. Also surviving are his three children: Ernie Ann (and spouse Allen) Metheny, Avon Park, Fla.; Melody (and spouse Eddie) Sellers, Morganton, N.C.; and Fred (and spouse Leigh) Watkins, Warsaw; six grandchildren: Eric (and spouse Marsha) Metheny, Nicole (and spouse Eric) Stewart, Andrea (and spouse Jason) Frye, Autumn Carrera, Erica (and spouse Amon) Munyaneza, and Jessica (and spouse John) Marshall; 12 great-grandchildren: Vince and Jacqueline Metheny, Rebecca and Rachel Stewart, Emma Robinson, Zain Frye, Estrella Esteban, Ossiel Carrera, Jose A. Esteban, Acacia and Keza Munyaneza and Maya Marshall; four siblings: Phyllis Blosser, Delores (and spouse Willard) Klotz, Cleo Brown and June Ganshorn; two sisters-in-law, Mary Evelyn Watkins and Eleanor Watkins. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Theodore, Dale and Max Watkins and two infant brothers; and four sisters: Gladys Border, Jessie Danner, Hilda Strang and Glee McDonald. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in The Country Church, Ind. 331N, Bourbon, with Pastor David Gould of the church officiating. Burial is in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements. ***** Condolences may be sent via deatonclemenfh.com
