William Ray Watkins

William Ray Watkins, age 70, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, departed this life Monday morning, January 9, 2023 at his home.

Ray was born September 14, 1952 in Somerville, the son of the late Aubrey Watkins and Ava Hazel Gammel Watkins. He was self-employed as a painter at Ray Eagle Painting Company for many years before becoming disabled. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young child and was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church in Somerville. Ray never met a stranger and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His favorite television show to watch was Gunsmoke.

Mr. Watkins is survived by two daughters, Benita Price (Stephen) of Woodstock, GA and LaRae Watkins of Somerville, TN; three sisters, Hazel Taylor, Nelle Burgess (Ross) and Ava Pulliam; five brothers, John Ed Watkins (Donna), Leon Watkins (Dale), Jerry Dean Watkins (Karen), Jimmy Lynn Watkins (Shelia) and Timmy Watkins (Andrea); five grandchildren, Dylan Watkins (Kayla Ward) of Memphis, TN, Hunter Price (Meegan) of Woodstock, GA, Bradley Price of Woodstock, GA, Patrick McNair of Somerville, TN and Kara McNair (Cole Lowrance) of Bethel Springs, TN; five great-grandchildren, Addyson Price of Woodstock, GA, Silas Watkins of Picayune, MS, Paislee Price of Woodstock, GA, Layla Smith of Memphis, TN and DaLanah Watkins of Memphis, TN; and his great-grandson coming soon, John Beckett Lowrance.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa Joyner; two brothers, Joe Watkins and Kenneth Watkins; and the mother of his children, Brenda Hunsucker Nelson.

Funeral Services for Mr. Watkins were held at 2 P.M. Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with his brother, Bro. John Ed Watkins, pastor of Mercy's Bridge Church near Somerville, and Bro. Gary Joyner officiating. Special music was provided by John Ed and Donna Watkins, AJ Taylor and Izzy Lira. Interment followed in Morris Chapel Cemetery near Somerville.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Dylan Watkins, Patrick McNair, Leon Watkins, Jerry Dean Watkins, Timmy Watkins and Jimmy Lynn Watkins.