University News
Thomas Watkins Obituary
November 23, 2018
MACOMB, IL – Funeral services for Western Illinois University Professor Emeritus Thomas Watkins will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26 at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, VA. A celebration of life will be held in Spring 2019.
Watkins, 75, passed away Nov. 15 in Blacksburg, and cremation has been accorded.
He was hired in the WIU Department of History in September 1970, and retired in December 2002. He taught ancient history to graduate and undergraduate students at Western, and published numerous scholarly articles, concentrating on the military expansion of the Roman Empire and the extension of Roman citizenship and culture.
In addition to his teaching, Watkins served as an officer of the Illinois Classical Association, led students in study abroad programs and published a book on an advisor of Julius and Augustus Caesar.
Watkins is survived by his wife, WIU Professor Emeritus Sharon Watkins, as well as his daughter, Elizabeth Watkins.
For additional obituary information, visit tharpfuneralhome.com.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: