William Edward Watkins, Jr.

Hartsville, S.C.

William Edward (Eddie) Watkins Jr., age 71, passed away August 23, 2026. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hartsville, SC. Bishop Karl Ensign will officiate. Burial will be immediately following the service at the LDS Cemetery in Society Hill, directed by Norton Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday 5:00 - 7:00pm at Norton Funeral Home in Hartsville.

Eddie was born in Bishopville, SC and was the only son of the late William Edward Watkins, Sr. and Dorothy Petty Watkins. Eddie grew up in Hartsville, SC where he spent most of his time playing all sports but was passionate about baseball and church softball. While in High School, Eddie had the chance to ask Miranda Bullard out on a date, and after going on their first date to a country club dance, they “went steady" for the next 54 years.

Eddie loved to serve others and did so throughout his life while in the business of hospitality and later in patient access at Providence/MUSC in Columbia. He exemplified the scripture "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Dottie Watkins. Surviving are his wife, Miranda, and their 5 children, Shea (Tim) Lucenti of Collierville, TN; Candice (Jared) Medlin of Rock Hill, SC; Adam (Ann) Watkins of Glen Allen, VA; Alexis (Patrick) Beare of Mint Hill, NC; and Logan (Jake) Weingartner of Janesville, WI. Eddie leaves behind 15 grandchildren (3 with spouses), as well as 3 sisters, Terry (Tim) Harvey, Evelyn Watkins, and Libby (William) Rhodes, numerous nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, if you have a memory of Eddie to share, please email it to the family at Watkins1973@gmail.com or make a donation to The Alzheimer's Association at https://donorservices.Alzheimer's Association