"Sweet" William (Bill) Darrell Watkins, age 77 of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, at Life Care Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was born to Willie and Hazel Watkins on April 5, 1948, in DeWitt, Arkansas.

Bill was an amazing cook, a mathematical genius, a highly skilled machinist, and one of the best self-taught tool and die engineer. He loved spending time vacationing and camping at Beaver Lake in Arkansas. He especially enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren.

He had a passion for horse racing and various sports. He was a huge fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks (teaching his grandkids to call the hogs often before they could even walk. Woo Pig Sooie Razorbacks.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jimmy Watkins and Marvin Watkins; sisters, Linda Mannis, Willeine Wright, Dewanna Sue Watkins, and his daughter, Lisa (Watkins) Evans.

He is survived by his companion, Diana Barton; daughters Lori (Watkins) Dabak, Wendy Bockstoce (Jim), Kristy Twyford, Terri Davis (Kevin Roy) and sons, Darrell Watkins and Jeff Watkins; Thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sister Janette (Watkins) Kumming (Mark) of Pea Ridge, Arkansas and brother, Tommy Watkins of Exeter, Missouri; as well as many close friends and family.

A Celebration of Life service is to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the family with final expenses.