William Earl "Bud" Watkins, 83-year-old resident of Wichita, Kansas died August 6, 2021 in Wichita with family by his bedside.

Bud was born on November 22, 1937 in DeWitt, Arkansas to Hettie Ruth Breed and Gilbert Matthieu Watkins. Bud lived in DeWitt, attending DeWitt Elementary until the sixth grade. Bud then moved to Wichita in 1953 with his mother learning to work hard and help provide for his family.

When Bud was seventeen, he married Allie Jean Dawson. The couple was blessed with three children, Danny Earl, Billy Mearl and Connie Jo. Bud owned and operated a full-service station on the corner of 13 ^th and Meridan. He then opened Ramsey Auto Sales. Bud understood sales and the value of a dollar. His business was very blessed and this allowed him to help many others. Sometimes it was his church, his family, maybe a friend or an acquaintance just on hard times.

The last thirty-nine years of Bud's life were spent with a very special lady, Carolyn Sue Young. They made their home in Wichita. Sue's family considered him a father and grandfather. They enjoyed going to the farm together and traveling.

At retirement age, Bud purchased a farm east of Wichita. There he enjoyed his animals and special time with friends and family. They hunted, fished, and drove the countryside. His grandchildren provided smiles as large as the world. He was very proud of them. Bud also had a church family. He helped build the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Wichita, where he still attended at the time of his death.

Bud was preceded in death by his son Danny Earl Watkins, father Gilbert Watkins, mother Ruth Smith, sister, Betty Lou Watkins, sister, Edna Capps, brother, Benny Joe Watkins and wife Bobbie, and his children's mother, Jean Watkins.

He is survived by companion Sue Young of Wichita and her family; son Billy Watkins and wife Pamela of Wichita; daughter Connie Davison and husband Jerald of Maize, Kansas; brother Don Smith of Wichita; brother-in-law Barney Capps of Wichita; 5 grandchildren, Matthew Watkins and wife Sabrina, Jennifer Rohmeyer and husband Brian, Ashley Blue and husband Chris, Heather Davison and Blake Davison; 9 great grandchildren, Coltin Watkins, Zoe Martin, Hannah Rohmeyer, Hailey Rohmeyer, Eastin Watkins, Austin Watkins, Bodhi Blue, Hayden Rohmeyer, and Archie Blue; many nieces, nephews, other family, and a host of friends.