Obituary for Donald “Butch” Watkins

Donald “Butch” Warren Watkins, 82, of Hollis (formerly of Hodgen) was born March 7, 1942 in Calrion, Iowa to Clint and Golda (Hanks) Watkins and passed away Feb. 15, 2025 in Hollis.

Don was a graduate of Skyline High School in Urbana, Missouri, Carl Albert State College and Eastern Oklahoma State College. He was a veteran, serving his country in the United States Navy.  His first job was a truck driver and that is how he met his first true love, Gilda “Okie.” They got married and lived in California for several years before moving back to Oklahoma in 1975 following her parents. They remained in Hodgen until her passing in 1998. After Gilda’s passing, Don moved several times finally ending up in Hollis. Don starting working for the Department of Corrections, where he started out as a cadet, working his way up to Senior Instructor at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections “CLEET” program. He retired in 2008 as Captain/Chief of Security at the Hollis Correctional Work Center.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Reverend Philip Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

During his lifetime, he held many jobs, from truck driver, school bus driver, cement work, DOC, and maintenance. While he was in Hollis, he met the second love of his life, Rosa. They married and he worked maintenance at the Hollis Hospital and various places. Don did whatever he needed to do to make ends meet. He was a hard worker who always took care of his family. Don enjoyed to travel and visit with anyone and everyone he seen. He never met a stranger at least not for very long. He also loved to fish, hunt, and spend time with his family and friends.  Don will be deeply missed by all whom knew and loved him.

Survivors are a son, Randy Watkins, of Hodgen; a daughter Tammy Welch and husband Richard of Hodgen; two stepdaughters Lola Salazar of Hollis, and Elisa Zepeda and husband Eric of Hollis; one son-in-law, Jess Bowen, of Nebraska; four sisters Georgia Hammerbacher, Phylliss Fitch, Dorothy Davis and Charlotte Glascock; a brother, Ernest “Tuffy” Rucker; seven grandchildren Tyler Bowen, Sadie Luman, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Azure Hill, Gene Welch and Addison Zepeda; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Golda Watkins; the first love of his life, Gilda “Okie” Watkins; his second love of his life, Rosa Watkins; one daughter, Debbie Bowen; one brother, Gene Watkins; and one sister, Bernadean Owens.

Honors will be provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Honor Guard.

Pallbearers are Tyler Bowen, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Gene Welch, Mark Huie and Clay Metzker.

Viewing is from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

To sign Don’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.