Billy Kent Watkins, 84, of Arthur, died at 4:23 PM Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at his residence in Arthur.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM Friday, December 23, 2011 at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois Street, Arthur, with Rev. Leroy Allison officiating. Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:00-7:00 PM at the church. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Billy was born November 16, 1927 in Moultrie County, the son of John C. and Cecile Schable Watkins. He was united in marriage to Margaret Myers in Long Creek on June 5, 1949.

Survivors include his wife Margaret Watkins of Arthur; 3 sons, Richard (Janet) Watkins of Mahomet; Wally Watkins of Arthur; Thomas (Angie) Watkins of Lebanon, Missouri; 1 daughter, Sue Whitacre of Lynchburg, Virginia; 2 sisters, Marjorie Thien of Waukesha, Wisconsin; and Mary Lou Hill of Reno, Nevada; 9 grandchildren, David Watkins, Leanna Weber, Benjamin Whitacre, Andrew Whitacre, Nicholas Watkins, Stacy Watkins, Tiffany, Parker, and Abbie Watkins; 7 great grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; and 10 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Watkins; grandson, Blake Watkins; 1 brother; and 1 sister.

Billy graduated from Arthur High School Class of 1945 and attended the University of Illinois for one year. He was a member of the Arthur United Methodist Church and a certified Lay Speaker of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years and was active with Lake Shelbyville Ministries. He served in the US Navy.

Billy was a farmer, electrician, and inventor of the weight transfer machine for tractor pulls. His dream of building Retirement Apartments was fulfilled with building Watkins Estates in Arthur in 1976.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com