James Edgar “Ed” Watkins, 100, of Bloomington passed away peacefully on Thursday November 21, 2019 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Ed was born June 11, 1919 in the hills of Newark and was the son of the late William Archie and Hettie Elizabeth (Arthur) Watkins.
Ed enlisted in the United States Navy as a young man and finished his time just as World War II was beginning. Just a short time after his discharge from the Navy he was drafted into the United States Army. He spent more than 30 years in Military Service retiring from Crane Naval Base as a Supply Supervisor.
Ed was a member of Cincinnati Christian Church and recently attended Union Church. He was a member of the Burton Woolery American Legion Post 18, he was a former Free & Accepted Mason and a farmer.
Ed married Marjorie F. (Anderson) Watkins who survives and together they enjoyed more than 74 years of marriage. Also surviving are their two sons, James Roger Watkins (Sally), and Joseph William “Joe Bill” Watkins; two daughters, Sandy Phillips (David), and Robin Hoffman (Bob); 6 grandchildren, James B. Watkins (Jenny), Bo A. Watkins (Leslie), Lindsay Falkenberg (Scott), Sarah Strong (Brent), Rebecca Hoffman, Jaydon Hoffman (Carlie), and granddaughter-in-law, Jody Watkins, 15 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Juanita Adkins and Jesse Kay Dixon.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Roger Owen “Chip” Watkins, his parents and several brothers and sisters.
Visitation for Ed will be from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm Sunday, November 24, 2019 and Monday, November 25, 2019 from 10:00 am until service time at the Solsberry Christian Church 10825 E. Christian Church Road, Solsberry, IN.
Services will be 11:00 am Monday at the church with Danny Hillenburg and Tom Cooperider officiating. Burial will follow at Greene County Chapel Cemetery where the Veterans Honor Guard will have military rites.