Robert Wesley "Bob" Watkins

Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday in Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Mike Love of First United Methodist Church of Watauga, will officiate. Burial: will follow in a local cemetery. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel.

Bob was welcomed into the heavenly kingdom after a courageous battle with complications from cardiac surgery. He was born in Meadow to Hattie Dee and Lewis Wesley Watkins on July 27, 1932. He was the older brother to an adoring little sister, Betty Lou. He was both a country and city boy . . . He still has his best friend from childhood, Sonny Price, and his wife, Mike.

He was the smartest man we know. He was a proud graduate of Texas A&M, class of '53, and received a master's degree from SMU. He gave 110 percent to everything that interested him, learning German, ham radio, exercise, cars, writing poetry, and his church.

He worked at LTV for his entire career as an aeronautical engineer. He worked on the stealth bomber.

He was the most loyal and devoted man we know. He met beautiful Lillie Mae Herrmann on a blind date while attending Texas A&M and fell deeply in love. Amidst many obstacles he was determined to marry this beautiful, wonderful woman to have and to hold for the rest of his life. He kept his promise and so did she. They were married on April 25, 1954. He will love her throughout eternity.

They have three children, Bonnie, Bobby and Phil and a daughter-in-law, Shelly. Poppy and Mimi also have the light of their lives, their grandsons, Dillon Wesley, Brody Ray and Kolten Aaron. He loved them ferociously, protected them and provided for them in every way he could imagine. He will be especially missed by his little dog, Freckles.

His love for his family friends and church family can be measured only by how deeply sad we each are and how much we will always love him in return.