Ward Tee Watkins, 64, of Bridgeport, and formerly of Michigan, passed away on Monday morning, January 22, 2018 at his residence. He was born on June 30, 1953 in Jackson, TN, a son of the late Montee Watkins and Lizzie Mae Williams Watkins.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sherrie Marrie Watkins, whom he married on June 22, 2001.
He is also survived by nine children, Sgt. Jeffrey Ginns of Fort Bragg, NC, Walter Watkins, Jr. and his companion Keyana, Angela and Jasen Smith, Sarah and Rick Nelmark, Barakarsonovia Ginns and Kenny, Melisa and Marcease Howard, Joshua Rocha, Artreaz Ewing , and Lawanda Watkins, all of Michigan; 22 grandchildren; five brothers and sisters, Linda Hall, Annie Mathis, Eugene Watkins, Walter Watkins and Martha Lou Franklin; sisters-in-law, Rae Lynn and her husband Ray White of Bridgeport, Tammie and her husband Ed Koert and Rhonda and her husband Robert Borr, all of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Diane Watkins.
Mr. Watkins proudly served in the United States Air Force and he was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tuscon, AZ where he was an aerospace ground equipment repairman. He enjoyed working with machines in the industrial machine field and always was trying to educate himself to learn new tasks. He attended many trade schools and GRCC College. He also enjoyed watching football and the news, working on cars and computers.
Family and friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 11-12 pm, where funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm with Reverend Harley Jeffries presiding. Interment will follow in the West Virginia National Cemetery with Military Honors.