Roy E. Watkins, 83, of Big Spring, died on Monday, November 13, 2006, in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Dr. Randy Cotton, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Bro. Joey Bacon, Bro. Gene Jones, and Bro. Gary Bacon, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.He was born on February 10, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota and married Eloise Elizabeth Fain on March 4, 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Roy served in the United States Marine Corps from 1941-1947 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a member of the Marine Raiders. Roy served on the Big Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees for 11 years and was the president for eight. He was a member of Local 826 Union of Operating Engineers where he served as president for six years. He coordinated the labor for the first Crippled Childrens Center. He enjoyed golf and was an avid reader. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church.Survivors include his wife, Eloise Watkins of Big Spring; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lorrie and Gene Jones of Canyon, Monnie and Gary Bacon of Harlingen, and Tammy and Tim Yeats of Big Spring; one brother, Frank Watkins of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister, Patty Selton of Minneapolis, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Joey Bacon, Jeff Bacon, Kimberly Potter, Kelli Boylan, Kendra Jones, Keri Jones, Ryan Yeats and Ethan Yeats; and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund or Missions Fund, 810 11th Place, Big Spring, Texas 79720. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
