Obituary

Bill watkins passed away peacefully in his sleep on friday, december 14, 2018. He was born on march 11, 1926, in grafton, and was a devoted supporter of his hometown. He attended grafton high school and served two tours in the military (world war ii and the korean war). He had a b.S. In chemical engineering from carnegie melon university, an m.S. In chemical engineering and an mba from wvu. He was a chemical engineer for union carbide corporation for 33 years, specializing in international licensing. He traveled the world for both his job and pleasure, visiting all seven continents.
Following his retirement, he served as manager of process engineering at mti, an engineering contractor. He also was a member of score (the service corps of retired executives), providing counseling to entrepreneurs and small business people, and served as chairman of the charleston chapter, as well as state and regional legislative affairs chairman. He was also president of technocommercial associates, providing consulting services in the area of technology transfer and management of intellectual property. He was a member of the business faculty at west virginia state university, teaching classes in marketing and international business. He is the author of two published books, business aspects of technology transfer, and technology and business strategy. He was a member of licensing executives society, american institute of chemical engineering and was a registered professional engineer.
Bill was active in his south charleston community, serving as the vice-chair of the south charleston sanitary board, a member of the parks and recreating commission, president of the community civic council, advisory board member for the south charleston museum and a board member for the south charleston lions club. He served as an elected member and chairman of the republican executive committee in the city of south charleston. Beyond his own community, he was a member of the governor’s transition team for economic development, local president and state vice president of the junior chamber of commerce, marketing manager for mountain state press, board of directors member of charleston community music, and the business advisory task force for the board of education.
He loved travel, music, engaging in all kinds of sports (well into his 80s), including tennis, golf, skiing, snorkeling, scuba, white water rafting, and especially spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, william merle watkins and elsie wheeler thayer watkins; his brother, richard watkins; and his wife of 70 years, lura johnston watkins.
He is survived by his children, mary lu (john) maccorkle, william merle (rhonda) watkins iii, and rick (kathy) watkins;  grandchildren, michael (lisa) maccorkle, tara (bryan) ayers, katherine (mike) mullins, meredith (chris) latta, will (kristin) watkins iv, and sarah watkins; and great – grandchildren, ally maccorkle, riley ayers, charlotte maccorkle, and robbie ayers. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, kim watkins; nephew, james watkins; and great niece, amy.
A funeral in celebration of his life will be held noon friday, december 21, at first presbyterian church of charleston. Burial will follow in donel c. Kinnard state veterans cemetery, dunbar.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to first presbyterian church, charleston.
You may send condolences to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com.
Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.