Clarence "Bus" Watkins

Clarence E. "Bus" Watkins, age 96, passed away December 13, 2013, at his residence. Clarence was born February 4, 1917 to parents Edmond and Orilla (Brown) Watkins in Mineral Ridge Ohio. After graduating from Mineral Ridge High School, Bus enlisted in the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Bus was employed as a machinist for Aetna Standard/Blawknox retiring in 1982. He then rejoined the workforce at Electro Corp In Bradenton Fl where he worked for several more years. Bus was a master wood worker. He lovingly created hundreds of works of art which he would gladly share with everyone. He was a Mason, the past Master of the Serenity Lodge, which he belonged to for 50 years, and was a firefighter for Mineral Ridge for over 20 years. Bus leaves to cherish his memory his wife Jean, son Thomas (Pat) Watkins of Florida, daughter Carol (Roland) Garland, sister Gloria Popp. grandchildren Troy Garland, Kimberly (Mark) Bevan, Traci (Pete) Mata of Sarasota Fl, and Thomas (Wendy) Watkins. He also leaves ten great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. He also leaves step children Leona Jean Gross, Mary Reece, Leo Culleny and Eileen Menza. He was preceded in death by his first wife Helen (Coupland) Watkins, his parents, and sisters Francis Stephen and Margaret Gillies. Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Tuesday December 17, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm at the Lane Family Funeral Home's Mineral Ridge Chapel. A Masonic service will follow at 7pm with a final service at 7:30pm.