James Willard Watkins, 74, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Cookeville, TN.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 16, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (1 - 2 PM) at the funeral home.

Mr. Watkins was born March 10, 1944 in the Price Community of Stoneville, NC, to the late Fletcher Willard Watkins and Eunice Smith.  He was a Senior Processing Engineer for E. I. DuPont, Inc. in Martinsville, VA and later retired from DuPont in Chattanooga, TN.

He is survived by wife of 56 years, Jane Purdy Watkins of the home;  son, James "Jimmy" Watkins, Jr. and wife, Denise of Cookeville, TN;  and grandsons, J. W. and Jacob Watkins of Cookeville, TN.

Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 2415 Settle Bridge Rd., Stoneville, NC 27048

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com