Billy Bob Watkins of Homosassa, Fla., died suddenly after a hemorrhagic stroke on Sunday, June 7, and was removed from life support on June 9. He was 82 years old. Bill was U. S. Army veteran, a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the Wharton School of Business.
His life was notable particularly for his dedication to Masonry and his family.
Billy joined Perkins Masonic Lodge No. 308 in Grant, Neb., in February 1954 and was serving as a Nebraska Masonic Ambassador since 1993. He lived in the U. S. Virgin Islands for 40 years where he was a three times Worshipful Master of Caribbean Light Lodge No. 101 on St. Croix, founding member and past Master of Royal Arch Masons, founding member and Commander of Canaan Commandry, Past First Principal of Zetland Chapter on St. Thomas, member of Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico, Shriner of Abou Saad Temple of Panama as well as founder and past president of the St. Croix Shrine Club. He also served with great pleasure for many years on the Hospital Committee for Shriners Hospitals of North America. He became a 33rd degree Knight Commander in 2001 and was a member of the Jesters and Knights Templar.
He mentored court-adjudicated children on St. Croix and Lecanto Middle School students in Florida. Billy spent his working career in insurance and finance in New York, St. Thomas and St. Croix with T. Bruce Company 1963-66 and Merwin Insurance 1966-1977. He formed his own company, Companion Assurance, in 1977 and worked with Armstrong Enterprises from the early 1980s until 2002. He was a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years and six months, Priscilla Galvin Watkins; son, Evan and his wife Stephany; granddaughter, Addyson; son, Glen and his wife Sarah; grandson, Finn and his daughter, Rebecca Jane, and her husband, Darrin Dingman; granddaughter, Olivia Scout; and one fat, spoiled cat. He is also survived by his twin BJ Weatherby and her husband, LaVerne Nielsen, of North Carolina; sister, Francis and her husband, Bernard Beers, of Texas; sister, Barbara and her husband, Wayne Aten (Kansas); and many loved nieces, nephews, and grands and great-grands scattered around the world.
If so inclined, Bill preferred donations to Shriners Hospitals of North America, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607.
