Mr. William Angus Watkins

It is with deep sorrow that the Watkins family announces the death of their beloved father, Mr. William Angus Watkins, 83. Mr. Watkins, the widower of Judith Austin Watkins, entered into rest on Friday, July 12, 2024. The Directors of Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home are caring for the family. A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 4 o'clock on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Bishopville Presbyterian Church, with The Rev. Chris Parnell officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to the Bishopville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 66, Bishopville, SC 29010, or Friends of the Lee County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 309, Bishopville, SC 29010. Mr. Watkins was born on July 31, 1940. He was the son of the late James Edward Watkins, Sr. and Annie Laurie Ryon Watkins Cromartie, and grew up in the New Market area of Darlington County. He graduated from Hartsville High School in 1958. He and Judith were married in 1963 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage until her death in 2020. William was a PGA of America Golf Professional for more than 40 years. He was the club professional at Bishopville Country Club for 21 years and the owner of Hacker’s Haunt Driving Range and Golf Shop in Bishopville. He volunteered for many years as a golf coach at Lee Academy and Bishopville High School. He was a longtime member of the Bishopville Presbyterian Church, where he previously served as a Deacon. He is survived by his sons and their spouses, William Britton Watkins (Josh Feldman) and Ryon Austin Watkins (Lendi); grandson, Landon Austin Watkins; granddaughter, Julia Britton Watkins; sisters-in-law, Geri Austin Cutler and Ann Cromartie Larrimore (Randy); brother-in-law, Joe McCullough. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, James Edward Watkins, Jr. and his wife Betty, and Fred Alexander Cromartie; sister, Patricia Watkins Douglas McCullough and her husband James Lee Douglas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hal C. and Betty M. Austin; brothers-in-law, Hal C. “Buddy” Austin, Jr. and his wife Bobbi, and Kenneth Brewster Cutler; grandnephew, James Ryon Douglas. William’s family extends their sincerest appreciation to Dr. E.G. DesChamps III, nurse Ali Corbin, and the staff at Lexington Medical Center and MSA Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Tributes

Mr. William Angus Watkins

July 31, 1940 - July 12, 2024