Richard A. Watkins Sr., owned sanitation company

Richard A. Watkins Sr., 77, of Houston passed away peacefully Thursday, April 12, 2018, under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice. Richard was born in Houston, son of the late William C. and Mabel (Jones) Watkins. 

 Richard was the owner and operator of Watkins Sanitation Service and served the area’s sanitation needs for many years.  He was a veteran of the Army National Guard; Richard enjoyed working as a mechanic, camping and vegetable gardening, working at the Harrington Fairgrounds, and spending every day at Rudy’s Restaurant with all of his friends and family. 

In addition to his parents, Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Odelle R. (Doughty) Watkins; a daughter, Connie Watkins; three brothers, Oscar Watkins, Ralph Watkins and James C. Watkins; and one sister, Ruth Hastings.

 He is survived by four children, Richard Watkins Jr., Frank Watkins, Allen Watkins and wife Margie, and Bonnie Thompson and husband Pierce Thompson Jr.; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harvey Watkins of Milford and Leroy Watkins of Vineland, N.J.; and six sisters, Martha Cartwright of Vineland, Edith Creed of Renton, Wash., Anna Payton, Sally Dawson, Rosie Johnson and Kathy Bruns, all of Houston; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.

 A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, with visitation for family and friends from noon to 1 p.m., in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford.  Burial will immediately follow at Hopkins Cemetery. 

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to help defray funeral expenses.