William Henry Watkins

William Henry Watkins of Colorado Springs and Tucson, Arizona passed peacefully into Glory on March 29, 2025, at the age of 94. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Louise Petrequin Watkins and Myron Herrick Watkins, he moved to Kenilworth, Illinois at age 3, where he spent his formative years. He attended New Trier High School, participating in football, track, and Boy Scouts—earning his Eagle Scout rank in 1945.

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and served as president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, in 1951. Following college, he served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to First Lieutenant before his honorable discharge in 1954.

In 1956, Bill married the love of his life, Beatrice Fay Walker. Their 68-year marriage was marked by deep love, faith, and devotion, and stood as a shining example to all who witnessed it. Together they raised three children—Kimberly (Daniel) Vandenbergh, Myron (Barbara Brady), Watkins, and Ginnie (Steven) Coast. He dearly loved his grandchildren—Matthew Schroeder, Rebecca Schroeder Cloe, Katie Coast Laris, William Coast, Christopher Coast, and Trevor Coast—as well as his great-grandchildren Selah Schroeder, Caden Coast, and Annie Laris.

Bill had a distinguished career in the plastics and packaging industries. He began with Monsanto Chemical Company, where he earned the Master Salesman Award, and later became Plastics Manager for Packaging Corporation of America. In 1977, he acquired Styro- Molders Corporation in Colorado Springs, serving as president and general manager. He was chairman and board member of the Society of Plastics Industry (EPS Division) and a member of the Society of Plastic Engineers. He also invested in commercial real estate and co-owned Alpine Packaging.

He served his community faithfully as a member of the Avoca District 37 School Board and a leader in Junior Achievement in Southern Colorado, for which he was a mentor and teacher.

A man of deep Christian faith, Bill served as a deacon at Winnetka Covenant Church, founded and chaired the Young Life committee in St. Louis, was a chaplain at Memorial Hospital, and was active in several churches throughout his life, including First Presbyterian Church, Woodmen Valley Chapel, and Winnetka Presbyterian Church.

He loved golf, skiing, hiking, swimming, gardening, travel, racquetball, and did we say golf? Tucson was his winter home for 25 years, and he was an active or former member of the El Paso Club, Garden of the Gods Club, Broadmoor Golf Club, Tucson Country Club, and Skyline Country Club. Among his favorite memories was achieving a hole-in-one on the golf course.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice, his parents, his brother Myron, and his sister Edith Watkins Steele.

He will be remembered for his strong leadership, generous heart, unwavering faith, and the eloquent prayers he offered at every holiday table—leaving a legacy of love and devotion to Christ.

He has now finished the course, won the greatest prize of eternal life, and entered the heavenly clubhouse—his final green more glorious than any he walked before.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:21

A celebration of his life and reception will be held June 2nd at 11:00 AM at Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. A private family internment to be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pikes Peak Young Life at giving.younglife.org/ppyl by putting William Watkins in the Tribute space or Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado at https://soco.ja.org/donate/index.