William "Bill" Lord Watkins

William Lord Watkins, aka Wild Bill, aka Mild Bill (depending on when you met him), has left this old world behind. He was born October 12, 1956 and passed September 17th 2025. Bill wore many hats in his life; truck driver, construction worker, connoisseur of many fine-ish wines, but he is best known as an outstanding and professional drummer. Some of the best bands over the years were Southwind, Loose Boots, Georgia Rhythm, and most recently, The Jameson Brothers. One of his band’s claim to fame was with the original song “Redneck Rap” that made it all the way to The John Boy and Billy show.

He is preceded in death by his mother Ellin R. Hagan, step father Hermann Hagan, father Donnell Watkins, brother Donnie Watkins, and sister Patty Wells.

Surviving family include daughter Courtney Watkins, wife Bonnie Watkins, step daughters Hannah (Ashton) Lanier, and Krista Moore, and grandchildren Dallas, Paizlee, Natalie, and Aiden Lanier. Also included are his sisters Dorothy (Bill) Glenn, Helen Hagan, Genie Watkins, beloved cousins Harriet Yancey, Bucky Roebling, and several nieces and nephews.

If there was an anchor in Bill’s life, it was the music he made with his band family over the years. George, Guy, Billy, Gary, “T-bone”, Sam, the talented list goes on and on. But a special shout-out goes to his pal, confidant, and brother from another mother Russell Brantley.

Bill lived his life in extremes, both good and bad, but mostly he was a powerful personality who knew how to make an impression. He will be missed by those who loved him, and forgiven by those who knew he had better in him.

If you’d like to remember Bill with a donation, please think of St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate, Heartland Hospice, https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GentivaFoundation/GHS.html, or the hospice of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Thompson Strickland Waters, Joiner Anderson Chapel.

Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 PM.

Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home, Joiner Anderson Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.