William “Bill” Winfield Watkins “88” of Annapolis formerly of Reisterstown, passed away on June 6, 2015. Mr. Watkins was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 11, 1926 to the late William Vincent Watkins and Genevieve Josephine Spence Watkins.

Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife Barbara Louise Bohl Watkins of Annapolis, MD, daughter Kimberly Ann Watkins-Wilmer and her husband Stephen Allen Wilmer, of Sykesville, MD, sons, William Winfield Watkins, III and his wife Lynette Sappé-Watkins of Vienna, VA and Jeffrey Scott Watkins of Reisterstown, MD. Grandchildren, Luke Stephen Wilmer, Sean Hoyt Watkins and Evan Albert Watkins, sisters, Mary Watkins Stambaugh of Timonium, MD and Louise Watkins Hoy of White Hall, MD. He was predeceased by his first wife Barbara Ann Bunn Watkins, his brother Francis Watkins and sisters, Helena Watkins Bigham and Genevieve Watkins Daily.

Bill grew up in Baltimore and attended St. Phillip and James Catholic School and Roland Park School. At age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during WWII. He was assigned as a radarman to the Destroyer Escort (DE 343) U.S.S. Abercrombie. The DE 343 received 4 battle stars and a commendation for surviving Japanese Kamikaze attacks. During the Pacific Campaign, Bill saw action at the Battle of the Philippines (Leyte) Lingayen and Okinawa. He was also part of the early entrance company to Japan after surrender. Bill was decorated with the WWII Victory Medal, Pacific Theatre Medal, U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign and Philippines Liberation Medal.

After the war, he worked for Standard Oil. He then later became a restaurateur of the Freedom Inn in Baltimore and the Forest Inn in Reisterstown, MD which closed in 1997. He served as President from 1970-1971 to the Restaurant Association of MD and was a multi-year recipient of the Dunnock Award for best restaurateur in Maryland. Bill specialized in Maryland cuisine and was well known for his crab cakes, imperial crab, shad roe, steaks and chops.

He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Reisterstown, Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, U.S.S. Abercrombie Reunion Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Annapolis Power Squadron, Severn House Yacht Club, the Trumpy Yacht Association and a member of the Annapolis Opera.

A man of faith, Bill was a member of St. Mary's Parish in Annapolis, MD. He enjoyed hunting and fishing on the Eastern Shore.

Friends may call at Eline Funeral Home 11824 Reisterstown Road (at Franklin Blvd.) on Thursday, June 18, from 3-5 and 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Philip and James Catholic Church 2801 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11:00am. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Living Classrooms Foundation, 802 S. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, Attn: Shannon Fries, Donations. Online Condolences may be sent to www.ElineFuneralHome.com

Affiliations