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William Elmer "Tug" Watkins

1918 - 2011

William Elmer "Tug" Watkins obituary, 1918-2011

BORN

1918

DIED

2011

FUNERAL HOME

Nelson Funeral Home - Logan

162 East 400 North

Logan, Utah

William Watkins Obituary

William Elmer (Tug) Watkins died peacefully of natural causes at the Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Friday, July 1, 2011, just shy of 93 years old. He had been at LNRC for less than three months.
He was born July 9, 1918, in Logan, the first of three sons to William Brown Watkins and Laura Ireva Elmer Watkins. He had fond memories of growing up in west Logan near the Borden Milk factory, the Logan River, and the Logan Lumber yard, with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. His bright red hair, lively antics, and given name Elmer earned him the nick name of "Tug" after the red-headed Elmer Tuggles in the A.C.Fera/Charles Winner Sunday comic strip "Just a Boy". The nick name stayed with him all his life.
He attended the Woodruff School, Logan Junior High, Logan High School, and graduated from Utah State Agricultural College June 1, 1941 in Business Administration. A year prior to graduation he was offered a position at USAC as secretary. He was associated with the college (which subsequently became Utah State University) all his professional life. He was an internal auditor at the time he retired.
On June 3, 1941, he married Ruth Mae Anderson in the Logan LDS Temple. Ruth Mae was the daughter of Joseph Andrew Anderson and Honora Milicent Willmore. Within a year and a half they had completed their dream home and were expecting their first child. The war was intensifying, and he was drafted. Serving in the Pacific theater, he returned to meet his daughter, Marilyn Ann, for the first time when she was 3 years old. In the years that followed they had three sons, William Thomas, Stanley Joseph and Robert Peter.
Ruth Mae and Elmer enjoyed lifelong friendships fostered during service in church and civic callings, and professional associations. Until Ruth Mae's death, the couple lived in the home they built as newly weds. They raised all of their children there. A number of grandchildren spent time in the home while going to school or spending summers with grandparents. The family fondly refers to the home as "545", the address numbers above the mailbox. Sometime after Ruth Mae's death, Elmer moved to Pioneer Valley Lodge, but continued to have the same phone number the family had since the 435 area code was assigned. Once Elmer moved to Pioneer Valley, grandchildren lived in the home.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Logan 9th Ward most of his married life, he served in many church callings. His children observed that, although Ruth Mae was a force behind the family meeting for family prayer, he directed the family in prayer and he was reassuring and a comfort when he was the voice.
He is survived by his brother Derrald Lewis Watkins, Ogden; his three sons, William Thomas Watkins, Edinburg, Texas, Stanley Joseph Watkins, Loveland, Colo., and Robert Peter Watkins, Phoenix, Ariz. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. His wife, Ruth Mae Anderson, and daughter, Marilyn Ann Willmore preceded him in death.
The three sons express sincere thanks to those who have been so kind to Dad in the recent years. His special buddies have meant a great deal to him, and will forever have our gratitude.
Funeral services will be held noon Wednesday, June 6, 2011, at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 North, Logan, with President J. Stanley Thomas presiding. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the Nelson Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the American Cancer Society, Utah Division Office, 941 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84016.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.

Published by Logan Herald Journal from Jul. 3 to Jul. 17, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Dear Cousins:

While it has been many, many years since we last saw one another, when my Dad, your Uncle "Wat", called to let me know of Uncle Elm's passing, so many childhood memories came rushing back. Thanksgivings at "545", Christmas Eve, and the Friendship Cuise in that little boat down the Green River and up the Colorado. (Or was it the other way round?)

Your Dad and dear Aunt Ruth were special people and will always hold a special place in my heart and memory.

Best to all!

Your Cousin,
Steve Watkins

Steve Watkins

July 5, 2011

Our dear Watkins family,

This afternoon Kathryn called to let me know of your dear father, grandfather, brother and uncles death. She read it in the Logan Herald Journal and passed the news on to me.

I have adored my sweet elder cousin and blessed to have had on-going connections with him. Also, many happy memories of our growing up and family years. Elm was a 'real gentleman", always so caring and appreciative of family and friends. I know of no kinder man than William Elmer "Tug" Watkins!

We will miss Elm greatly, but will see him and all our loved ones again, as Eternal Family. What a wonderful reunion he is having at this moment with precious family passed before.

Love and blessings to all of you, our Watkins family!

Betty Jean (Knowlton) Goold

BettY Jean K, Goold

July 3, 2011

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