A
glorious reunion took place on the morning of October 24,
2010, as our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
uncle and friend, Ronald Butler Watkins, embraced his parents
and other loved ones awaiting him in Heaven. His physical
body gave out, but his valiant spirit never would. Ronald
was born February 20, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Richard
Calvin Watkins and Mary Hillstead Butler. Ron had a great
love for his country, serving four years in the Air Force
as an air radio operator. He received his solo and private
pilot licenses, and always kept an eye to the sky for planes
flying overhead. At a church dance, Ron met a beautiful
young lady, and on September 5, 1958, he and Mary Ella Hatch
were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake
Temple. They were inseparable, and mainly participated in
hobbies and interests that could be enjoyed together. The
way they played tennis, their favorite sport, was indicative
of their feelings for one another. By plotting easy to return
shots, and forgetting to keep score, they always walked
away winners on the same team.
Ron graduated from BYU in 1969 with a
degree in Business Management, and remained a voracious
cougar football fan his whole life. He was gifted in his
career path and as the regional sales representative for
Motorola he was especially skilled at meeting new clients
and making them friends. Business trips often became family
vacations, filled with treasured memories.
He is survived by a brother, Richard Calvin
(Audrey) Watkins, and a sister, Mary Elaine (Bob; deceased)
Aikens. He believed that his legacy was his family, including
his two sons, Ronald Butler (Julie) Watkins, Jr., Robert
Ray (Stacy) Watkins, and five daughters, Dana Mary (Rand)
Boshard, Deborah (Lamont; deceased) Ericson, Desiree (Craig)
Lewis, Danielle (Justin) Pate, and Darcelle (James) Bromley
along with 35 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren—all
who live within 25 miles of his home.
His children would say that his greatest
legacy was actually his devotion to and testimony of his
Savior, Jesus Christ. Ronald was an active member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and he faithfully
served wherever he was called. Our legacy to him, is how
deeply he is loved, and how painfully he will be missed.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday,
October 28, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Saratoga Springs Stake
Center, 587 South Saratoga Springs Road, Saratoga Springs,
Utah. A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00
to 8:00 pm at the same location and an additional viewing
at the church on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 am
prior to services. Burial will be at the Utah Veteran's
Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Utah. Funeral Directors - Warenski
Funeral Home of American Fork, Utah.
One of Grandpa’s great joys was to
see his grandchildren serve missions. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be sent to the LDS General Mission Fund.
A
glorious reunion took place on the morning of October 24,
2010, as our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
uncle and friend, Ronald Butler Watkins, embraced his parents
and other loved ones awaiting him in Heaven. His physical
body gave out, but his valiant spirit never would. Ronald
was born February 20, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Richard
Calvin Watkins and Mary Hillstead Butler. Ron had a great
love for his country, serving four years in the Air Force
as an air radio operator. He received his solo and private
pilot licenses, and always kept an eye to the sky for planes
flying overhead. At a church dance, Ron met a beautiful
young lady, and on September 5, 1958, he and Mary Ella Hatch
were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake
Temple. They were inseparable, and mainly participated in
hobbies and interests that could be enjoyed together. The
way they played tennis, their favorite sport, was indicative
of their feelings for one another. By plotting easy to return
shots, and forgetting to keep score, they always walked
away winners on the same team.
