Richard Lee “Dick” Watkins, 97, of Decatur, passed away Friday, January 10, 2014, at Decatur Morgan Hospital. Mr. Watkins was born October 26, 1916, in Decatur to Zedekiah Padgett and Bessie Dillehay Watkins. He was a graduate of Riverside High School in Decatur and a 1939 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University)with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in Alaska and Europe with Company B of the 151st Engineers, National Guard. He spent five and a half years in the service and was discharged as a captain.
Mr. Watkins began working for the Decatur Electric Department as a groundsman on a line crew in 1939. After serving in World War II, he resumed work with the Electric Department as an engineer. In 1965 he became General Manager of the Electric Department. He oversaw the consolidation of all utilities into one entity and in 1979 was named General Manager of Decatur Utilities, a position he held until his retirement in 1981.
He served his community as a Director of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, past president of Decatur Rotary Club, Board member of United Way, and member of the Decatur Planning Commission. He also served his profession as a leader in state and national power associations.
He was a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher.
Mr. Watkins is survived by his only son, Stephen Lee Watkins and his wife Jean; his granddaughters, Laura Watkins Jordan (Adam) and Amanda Watkins Tedford (Stace); and four great-grandchildren, Hunter Lee Tedford, Emaline Katherine Jordan, Annalee Caroline Jordan and Caitlyn Grace Tedford. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne Crawford Watkins.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 13, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Tommy Lee will officiate. Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Neighborhood Christian Center, 619 Bank Street, Decatur AL 35601.
The family would like to thank the staff at Cedar Springs Retirement Home, Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and his staff, and the nurses and aides on the third floor of Decatur Morgan Hospital for their loving care of Mr. Watkins.
Mr. Watkins was a wonderful example of the “Greatest Generation” and was a much beloved and respected citizen, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He taught his family how to live with integrity, how to love unconditionally, how to forgive completely, and how to walk with God daily. His salvation in Jesus Christ was secure and the family takes great comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven with his Father God.
