John K "Billy" Watkins

John K. “Billy” Watkins, 79, of Goose Creek, South Carolina passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017. He was born on January 2, 1938 in Batesburg, SC to Walter John and Marzee (Goff) Watkins. Billy was an avid bird hunter and fisherman, and loved baseball and fast-pitch softball. In 1952, he was a member of the North Charleston Pony League baseball team that played in the first ever Pony League World Series, and he produced the first home-run ever hit in the Series. After leaving baseball, Billy concentrated on fast-pitch softball and entered the South Carolina Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Watkins; son Kenneth Watkins and his wife Beth of Mauldin, SC; daughter Ann Weast and her husband Ronnie of Hanahan, SC; step-son Scott Mims and his wife Lauren of Phoenix, AZ; nine grandchildren, Samuel and Jackson Watkins, Joey, Sarah, and Hannah Weast, and Jordan, Dylan, Elijah, and Josiah Mims, and sisters Mary Ross and Sylvia Widener.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jerry Watkins.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 2, 2017 at Deer Park Baptist Church from 11:00AM-12:00PM. A memorial service honoring his life will be held at 12:00PM, also at Deer Park Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Deer Park Baptist Church for the Reveal God’s Plan ministry.

Expressions of sympathy may by viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, South Carolina, 29445, 843-553-1511.