Billie Don Watkins

Billie Don Watkins, 85, of Amarillo, died November 13, 2014 in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa, with Rev. Kevin Deckard, associate pastor of Polk Street United Methodist Church of Amarillo, officiating. An additional memorial service will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at Craig Methodist Retirement Center in Amarillo, with Rev. Lane Boyd, chaplain, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Watkins was born July 1, 1929 in Miami. She attended Pampa schools, and Pampa High School. She received her bookkeeping degree from Draughon’s Business College in Amarillo. She married Vernon Watkins on February 2, 1947 in Pampa. Billie Don resided in Pampa for 31 years, Greenbelt Lake for 18 years, and Clarendon for seven years before moving to Amarillo nine years ago. While in Pampa, she was the owner of BD Products. Billie Don was an artist and an avid golfer, and was club champion for 2 years at Clarendon Country Club. She was a current member of Polk Street United Methodist Church in Amarillo, and a former member of First United Methodist Church in both Pampa and Clarendon. Billie Don was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie Forshagen in 1984, and by her parents, Bill and Mattie Crowson. Survivors include her husband, Vernon Watkins of the home; her son, Mark G. Watkins and wife Stephanie of Amarillo; 4 grandchildren, Stacy Merchant and husband Bryan of Houston, Douglas Forshagen of Gonzales, and Mason Watkins and Miles Watkins, both of Pampa; and 5 great-grandchildren, Madison Watkins and Dane Park, both of Pampa, John Douglas Merchant, Collen Merchant, and Reese Merchant, all of Houston. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road, Suite 12A, Lubbock, Texas 79424, or a charity of choice.