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BORN
1932
DIED
2026
Rodger Watkins Obituary
Rodger Billy Watkins
Oct 7, 1932 - Feb 6, 2026
Rodger Billy Watkins was born on October 7, 1932, in Post, Texas to Sibbie Mack Watkins and Mary Attice Rodgers. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in his home in Bryan, Texas on Friday, February 6, 2026.
In high school, Bill was a first-string guard for the high school football team in Cranfills, Texas and earned the nickname "Windy" Watkins due to his speed and agility on the field. After high school, he joined the Navy and served as a gunner's mate on the USS Shadwell where they called him "Tex." He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable service. After leaving the Navy, he attended Texas Tech University and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1954.
Bill married Wanda Faye Dowd on October 31, 1956, in Lubbock, Texas and they had three children. He later married Martha Grace Ball on November 26, 1994, in Hilltop Lakes, Texas. Martha's three sons joined his growing family.
Bill worked in newspaper and radio sales in Abilene and Port Arthur, TX. In 1961 he moved to Bryan/College Station and managed WTAW, a Bryan broadcasting station. He purchased the station and added WTAW-FM in 1964, the first FM station in Bryan/College Station.
He was a founding and pioneer member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and served as the chairman of the board. As his career progressed, he purchased additional radio stations all over Texas. In 1994 he achieved a lifelong dream and started the local TV station KYLE-28.
He was an innovative station owner, bringing on 16-year-old high school student Scott DeLucia as a sports announcer for A&M Consolidated High School basketball. He also hired Sunny Nash as a newsperson in 1973 before she became the first Black graduate of Texas A&M's journalism school.
He was an avid community leader, serving as the President of the Boys and Girls Club, and member of the Jaycees, Masons, Lions Clubs, Shriners International, and many others. He led services each week for the Unity Church via Zoom for all who wanted to join.
The rocking chair was not for him. He continued to work hard throughout his life and adopt new technology in the media landscape, including creating a YouTube channel at the age of 89 where he reflected back on his life. Bill shared the following biography on his channel: "Beginning my ninety-fourth decade, I've lived through remarkable changes in society, technology, and culture...My journey through the broadcast industry, including my time as a TV station executive and Past President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, has been more than a career; it's been a lifelong pursuit of connection, learning, and service."
Bill was a mentor to many people, providing encouragement and guidance. He would text and call with daily words of wisdom. He sent out a daily motivational newsletter amongst friends as well as the TSpan digest newsletter providing Texas Political news.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. One granddaughter described him as having a sharp wit, with grit and stubborn determination. He lived his life unapologetically.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Attice Watkins, father Sibbie Mack Watkins, and his wife, Martha Grace Watkins.
Bill is survived by first wife, Wanda, and his children and grandchildren: Carrie Denean Watkins, her son Wesley S. Gideon (Amy) Aiden, Eli and Avery Jane. Her daughter Stacey (Tony) Stuenkel, daughters Sydney, Abby and son Alex. Tanya Leigh Shenkir (Gaylon), Miranda Leah Pelzel, daughters Leah and Zivah. Rodger Douglas Watkins (Robin) Justin (Crystal) Lambert, Austin, Colton, Jaxson, Delainey and McKenzie. Jana (Dustin) Johnson, Jaycee, Cambree and Kylee. Jeffrey (Maddie) Watkins, Margaret Ann (Shane) Boeker, Davis and Sarah. James Allen (Monika)Marissa and Sarah, Kevin Allen, and Jason Allen (Priscilla)Ryan, Avery, Payton, Alysia and Grayson.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Friday, February 27, at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Steep Hollow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice or the Rodger Watkins, Joe C. Monroe and George Carlin Endowed Scholarship for the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University. Contact the Texas A&M Foundation at [email protected].
Oct 7, 1932 - Feb 6, 2026
Rodger Billy Watkins was born on October 7, 1932, in Post, Texas to Sibbie Mack Watkins and Mary Attice Rodgers. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in his home in Bryan, Texas on Friday, February 6, 2026.
In high school, Bill was a first-string guard for the high school football team in Cranfills, Texas and earned the nickname "Windy" Watkins due to his speed and agility on the field. After high school, he joined the Navy and served as a gunner's mate on the USS Shadwell where they called him "Tex." He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable service. After leaving the Navy, he attended Texas Tech University and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1954.
Bill married Wanda Faye Dowd on October 31, 1956, in Lubbock, Texas and they had three children. He later married Martha Grace Ball on November 26, 1994, in Hilltop Lakes, Texas. Martha's three sons joined his growing family.
Bill worked in newspaper and radio sales in Abilene and Port Arthur, TX. In 1961 he moved to Bryan/College Station and managed WTAW, a Bryan broadcasting station. He purchased the station and added WTAW-FM in 1964, the first FM station in Bryan/College Station.
He was a founding and pioneer member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and served as the chairman of the board. As his career progressed, he purchased additional radio stations all over Texas. In 1994 he achieved a lifelong dream and started the local TV station KYLE-28.
He was an innovative station owner, bringing on 16-year-old high school student Scott DeLucia as a sports announcer for A&M Consolidated High School basketball. He also hired Sunny Nash as a newsperson in 1973 before she became the first Black graduate of Texas A&M's journalism school.
He was an avid community leader, serving as the President of the Boys and Girls Club, and member of the Jaycees, Masons, Lions Clubs, Shriners International, and many others. He led services each week for the Unity Church via Zoom for all who wanted to join.
The rocking chair was not for him. He continued to work hard throughout his life and adopt new technology in the media landscape, including creating a YouTube channel at the age of 89 where he reflected back on his life. Bill shared the following biography on his channel: "Beginning my ninety-fourth decade, I've lived through remarkable changes in society, technology, and culture...My journey through the broadcast industry, including my time as a TV station executive and Past President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, has been more than a career; it's been a lifelong pursuit of connection, learning, and service."
Bill was a mentor to many people, providing encouragement and guidance. He would text and call with daily words of wisdom. He sent out a daily motivational newsletter amongst friends as well as the TSpan digest newsletter providing Texas Political news.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. One granddaughter described him as having a sharp wit, with grit and stubborn determination. He lived his life unapologetically.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Attice Watkins, father Sibbie Mack Watkins, and his wife, Martha Grace Watkins.
Bill is survived by first wife, Wanda, and his children and grandchildren: Carrie Denean Watkins, her son Wesley S. Gideon (Amy) Aiden, Eli and Avery Jane. Her daughter Stacey (Tony) Stuenkel, daughters Sydney, Abby and son Alex. Tanya Leigh Shenkir (Gaylon), Miranda Leah Pelzel, daughters Leah and Zivah. Rodger Douglas Watkins (Robin) Justin (Crystal) Lambert, Austin, Colton, Jaxson, Delainey and McKenzie. Jana (Dustin) Johnson, Jaycee, Cambree and Kylee. Jeffrey (Maddie) Watkins, Margaret Ann (Shane) Boeker, Davis and Sarah. James Allen (Monika)Marissa and Sarah, Kevin Allen, and Jason Allen (Priscilla)Ryan, Avery, Payton, Alysia and Grayson.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Friday, February 27, at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Steep Hollow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice or the Rodger Watkins, Joe C. Monroe and George Carlin Endowed Scholarship for the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University. Contact the Texas A&M Foundation at [email protected].
Published by The Bryan-College Station Eagle on Feb. 26, 2026.
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