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Ralls' Mayor Dies
Mayor W.D. Watkins, 57, died in a Lubbock Sanitarium Christmas Eve morning after a several days illness of pneumonia. Funeral services were held in Ralls that afternoon.
Rev. Uel D. Crosby officiated at the services conducted in the First Methodist Church being assisted by Rev. R.E. Harrison of the First Baptist Church here. Interment was made in the Ralls cemetery with members of the local Masonic Lodge in charge. Pall Bearers were: T.H. Holmes, L.A. Wicks, I.D. Moore, Dr. E.L. Haney, Bill Betts, and Roy Cooper. Will Marr, undertaker was in charge.
Mr. Watkins was born in Tennessee, August 4, 1877. He came to Texas later in life and moved to Ralls with his family in 1918. Since coming Ralls he has been manager of the West Texas Gin Co. here, being dean of gin operators of this section.
He has always been interested in the welfare of Ralls, being a very loyal worker for its development. He was a member of the city commission for a number of years, and citizens of Ralls showed their appreciation of his work by electing him to the position of Mayor at the last city election. He was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge, being a Royal Arch Mason at the time of his death. He was also very active in the church, being a regular attender and steward of the Methodist Church here.
Ralls indeed loses a good citizen in Mr. Watkins. He has played a part in the development of this section that will be remembered through the years. He was also a friend to everyone - one who those in need or trouble could go to for council and help. He was always jolly, never being blue or discouraged. The large and beautiful floral offering that was sent by friends showed the high esteem that was held for this man.
He is survived by his widow, three sons, Winfield of Lubbock, Walker of Ralls, and Wilmoth, a student in Texas University at Austin, and a grand-daughter, of Lubbock, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Watkins of Tolar, four brothers, E.T., F.E. and Emmitt of Fort Worth and F.A. of Shreveport, Louisiana, and one sister, Mrs. O.H. Holyfield of Granbury.
Out of town people for the funeral were: Miss Winnie Clifton of Fort Worth, a sister of Mrs. Watkins, Joe Edlebrook of Fort Worth, Tom Simmons, R.R. Gilliland and G.D. Adams, all of Quanah.
The Banner joins the many friends of the family in extending sympathy to the bereaved ones.
The Ralls Banner, Friday, January 4, 1935
Submitted by Pauline WatkinsAdditonal Information
When William D Watkins was born on August 4, 1878, in Stewart County, Tennessee, his father, David Edward Watkins, was 26 and his mother, Carolyn Adelia Daniel, was 22. He has three children with Mabel Clifton and one child with Mable Clifton. He died on December 21, 1934, in Ralls, Texas, at the age of 56.
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