Walter George Watkins, Jr.

George was born in El Dorado, KS on March 12, 1930, to Walter George (“WG”) Watkins, Sr. and Audrey May (Montgomery) Watkins. They moved to Kansas City in 1933. His sister Cornelia was born in 1935. The family then settled in North Kansas City in 1938 where WG founded The Fyrogas Company of NKC. George started his work in the family business at a young age, scrubbing and painting propane tanks.

George joined The First Baptist Church of NKC in 1943, where in 2016, at its 100th Anniversary celebration, George was recognized as its oldest living member.

George graduated from NKC High School, Class of 1948, where he lettered in football (as a kicker,) basketball and track. He attended Westminster College, Fulton, MO, from 1948-1950, and then the University of Missouri in Columbia graduating in 1952 with a BA in Economics. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

He served in the United States Army in active duty from 1952-1954, then in the Army Reserves from 1954 to 1960.

George began his professional career in 1954 when he joined his dad in NKC at The Fyrogas Company. The business expanded to a propane plant in Liberty, Mo and George moved to Springfield, Mo in 1956 to open The Fyrogas Company of Springfield, where he stayed and operated the business 31 years until it was sold in 1987. He then returned to Kansas City where he lived in the Northland.

George enjoyed a new career as a real estate appraiser, working from 1987 to 1999 at James E Pryor Appraisals, Inc in Gladstone. He cherished the friendships and comradery there and loved going to the office.

In addition to The First Baptist Church of NKC, George most recently worshiped at Barry Christian Church with his companion of 26 years, Neva Joan Hamilton. George and Joan enjoyed aging together and were avid ballroom and square dancers. They were members of the Unicorns Dance Club and the Pistols & Petticoats. They were also active members of The American Legion.

Unc was loved by his family and friends. He was predeceased by his father (1990) and mother (2005) and his Brother-in-Law, Alvin Allen Fuson. (1984)

He leaves his sister, Cornelia Ann Fuson Long of KC North; his nephew Walter Brent Fuson and wife Jil of Prairie Village, KS and their children: Emily Catherine Horowitz (Jonathan) and their daughter Madison Rose Horowitz, Atlanta, GA, and Phillip Alvin Walter Fuson, KC North.

His niece Ellen Montgomery Fuson Port and husband Andrew of St. Louis, MO and their children: Andrew Harrison Port, Jr. of Boulder, CO and Katherine Audrey Port of St. Louis.

Also left to mourn his loss is his longtime companion, Neva Joan Hamilton of KC North and her sons Michael (Robin) and Neal (Cathy) who considered George family.

The family would like to thank Amanda Lyons for her dedicated and thoughtful attention to George while he fulfilled his wish to stay in his home and live independently as long as possible.

Also, a special thank you to the staff at the NorthCare Hospice House for their wonderful care and comfort.

Throughout his life George’s spirit of generosity benefited many charitable organizations and causes. He was a quiet and gentle man, but always enjoyed a good conversation, regardless of the topic. He was a friend to all.

Visitation with family will be Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 1-2 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home (6600 NE Antioch Rd. Gladstone, MO 64119). A Celebration of Life will follow at 2 PM on Saturday, at White Chapel Funeral Home. Private burial services will be in White Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to First Baptist Church of NKC, 2205 Iron Street, NKC, MO 64116 (https://fbcnkc.org/), Barry Christian Church, 1500 NW Barry Road, KC, MO 64155 (https://www.barrychristianchurch.com/), or to a charity of the donor's choice.