Obituary of Van Lewis Watkins

Van Lewis Watkins, 99, of Fairmont passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg. He was born in Monongah on September 21, 1926, a son of the late James Arthur Garfield Watkins and Cora Alice Walls Watkins. Van is survived by his daughter, Joyce Kay Worth and her husband James; son, Van “Chip” Lewis Watkins II and his wife Julie; four grandchildren, Zach Carpenter and his fiancé Amanda Mitchell, Carissa Rhomberg and her husband Nathan, Aaron Worth and his wife Atlanta, and Matthew Watkins and his partner Jasmine Harper; four great-grandchildren, Charlotte Kay Rhomberg, Savannah Grace Rhomberg, Genevieve Rae Worth, and Aria June Carpenter; brother-in-law, James K. Carter; cousins, Kenneth E. Getz and Patricia Miller and her husband Bud; driving partner, Jerry Vanreenan; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Van was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marjorie June Watkins; all his siblings; and a sister-in-law, Sandra J. Carter. Van was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II and worked as a truck driver for Owens-Illinois for 40 years. He served as a deacon and was very active at Boothville Baptist Church. Van was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post 5501 in Ripley. He enjoyed watching old movies and westerns as well as tinkering around with all types of materials. Van was very active and loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Van’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 122 S High St., Morgantown, WV 26505. The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 12 noon with funeral service to follow. A committal service will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery with full military rites. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.