Billy "Orvis" Watkins transitioned from earth to heaven on Saturday Oct. 11, 2021. He was born on April 17, 1942 in Chinquapin NC. At the age of 8, he moved to the Back Swamp community with his parents and siblings.
Orvis was a salt of the earth soul who loved his family more than anything. He didn't believe in anything fancy— just the basics. He valued taking care of what you had. Hard work provided what you need, that was his motto.
There was nothing Orvis wouldn't do for those he loved. This often came with a lesson in life, but everyone knew that his word was meant to teach truth, value and hard work.
Orvis married his wife Edna Moore in 1965. At 26 years old, he made a bold decision to purchase a plot of land that he wanted to make his home. To the dismay of many, Orvis borrowed money and found a way to make it a reality. He and his wife Edna put their heads together and built the farm through hard work and dedication.
The road was tough, but with God's Grace Orvis & Edna made it happen. They worked the land and built a home for their 4 children to thrive. That farm has become a haven for 4 children, their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. This farm is a place that everyone calls home because of a young man's dream to build a good life for his family.
Orvis quickly realized that he would need to work a public job as well as the farm to keep the family going. In 1978 he began working as a Civil Servant on Camp Lejeune, where he worked until retirement. Edna ran the house, managed the kids and tended the farm until her husband got home from his day job. Then he would crawl up on the tractor and work until dark. Most nights the family wouldn't eat supper until dark because he would work the fields until that time.
Our Dad believed in teaching a solid work ethic and respecting our elders. He was a man of few words but those few carried a ton of weight and value. He was full of common sense and taught us all how to figure things out and how to make things work.
In the years before our Mother's death, Dad learned how to cook. He would always cook up a pot of his beloved stew beef and rice or rutabagas with neck bones. All he would have to do was make a few phone calls and he'd have several grandchildren join him at his table.
He loved his family more than anything and truly delighted in the fact that he was never alone. Somebody was always walking through the front door to see their "Papa" or to help him out with something. He was a kind and gentle man. One who had great stories and words of wisdom to share. He made us all better human beings through his loving ways and lessons in life.
Fishing was Dad's absolute favorite past time. He taught us all to love the water and the bounties of food it provides. He loved a fried fish and an oyster roast as much as anything. We have all made more memories around food than we can remember.
Daddy was always sitting in his chair in the shop chatting with whomever stopped by, sitting in his swing under the oak tree or on his red golf. These are priceless memories that will take us all back to happy times shared with the man who made us who we are today.
The pain of losing our Patriarch will eventually lessen but the memories will live vividly forever in our hearts and souls. Dad taught us so much about life. We are forever thankful that God gave us this man to be our Daddy.
