A native of Hickory, he was the son of Raymond D. Watkins and stepmother, Pauline, of Lockhart and the late Iris Piercy Watkins. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

In addition to his father and stepmother, he is survived by the mother of his children, Lou Ann Caparell of Indiana; one son, Jeramy Watkins of Indiana; four daughters, Brandy Watkins, Chantana Ray Caparell and Shayleen Hanson, all of Indiana, and Heather Long of North Carolina; two sisters, Patricia Owenby and Carolyn Coleman, both of Greer; and seven grandchildren.

Services were held Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at The Stribling Funeral Home Chapel.

The Stribling Funeral Home of Duncan was in charge of arrangements.