Bruce Michael Watkins, 73, of Granite City, Illinois passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021, at Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, Illinois.
He was born on September 12, 1948, in Carlinville, Illinois. He was an Army Veteran who served in Korea during the Vietnam War. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in Iowa and Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and amazing Papa. Bruce had a keen interest in world history and was a collector of WWII artifacts. His other interests included nineteenth-century architecture and antiques, especially clocks, and he loved cycling and playing the piano. He loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed spending time with them and hearing about their academic successes and extracurricular activities. Bruce worked at U.S. Steel for 49 years, before retiring in September 2015 as Crew Coordinator of the Roundhouse.
Bruce is the son of Wilmer and Dorothy (Mefford) Watkins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer and Dorothy, his sister Pamela (Watkins) Vasquez, and nephew Denny Miller.
He is survived and missed by his loving wife Donna (Harper) Watkins of Granite City, Illinois; sister Patricia (Watkins) Meyer of Osceola, Iowa; and children, Stephanie (Watkins) & Graeme Edge of Valrico, Florida; Hilary (Watkins) & Kevin Kasprovich of Centerville, Ohio; and Lisa (Watkins) & Robert Mink III of Granite City, Illinois. Bruce had nine adoring grandchildren: Drew, Drake, and Harper Hubbard (Stephanie); Ethan, Elizabeth, Emma, and Eva Kasprovich (Hilary); and Mary and Henry Mink (Lisa). He is also survived by nieces and nephews Chris, Margo, and Jeff Miller, and Angela (Vasquez) Taylor and Andrea Vasquez, as well as many great-nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Bruce’s cat, Aida, really misses him.
Visitation at Thomas Saksa Funeral Home in Granite City, Illinois on Thursday, December 30, 2021, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Funeral Service immediately following at Thomas Saksa Funeral Home.
Burial at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon, Illinois.
Floral arrangements can be sent directly to the funeral home, or monetary donations can be sent to Disabled Veterans.
