Obituary of Watkins, Ernest Noel

Ernest Noel Watkins was born on July 20, 1929 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to John C. and Virginia Louise Watkins. He passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017, age 88, in Flower Mound, Texas at home, surrounded by his family. He graduated Nowata High School in 1947. Noel, as he was known, served with the Army National Guard in Korea from February 1950 through February 1953, receiving the Army Occupation Medal (Japan), the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Campaign Star, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was discharged honorably as a Master Sergeant. He and Wanda Sue Hainline married August 10, 1950. Noel graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a Business Management degree in 1954. He worked as a tax accountant at various companies from 1953 through 1988. He formed his own business in January 1989, and became a tax practice entrepreneur. He retired in January 2017. Noel is survived by his wife, of 67 years, Wanda; sons, Steven Noel Watkins (Rolonda), Curtis Thane Watkins (Sharon); daughter, Lisa Watkins Branning (Gregg Branning); five grandchildren, Christopher Watkins, Michael Branning, Kathleen Branning, Aaron Watkins and Shea Watkins; one great granddaughter, Aurora Branning; and sister, Dorothy Shoup. He loved to play golf, and travel. He fished, water skied, and hunted as a youth and young adult. Noel was a loving husband and father. As he grew older, he laughed more, and his family was the single most important thing in his life. He was a supportive, forgiving father. His employment took him and his family to live in many different places over the years, including Ponca City, Tulsa, Chicago area, Minneapolis, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, Grove, Oklahoma and finally Flower Mound, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 12:00 pm noon at Nowata United Methodist Church, 109 West Shawnee Avenue, Nowata, Oklahoma 74048. In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Nowata United Methodist Church, or your favorite charity.   Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.