Bert Watkins February 7, 1925 - June 13, 2024 Sarasota, Florida - Bert Watkins Jr., 99, of Sarasota Florida and East St. louis /Belleville, Illinois, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, veteran, patriot, and friend to almost all left this life and joined his beloved wife, Beth, in Heaven June 13, 2024. Bert lived the American dream. He was born in Thayer Illinois, son of a coal miner and homemaker. Growing up during the depression, he helped support his family by raising chickens, rabbits and delivering papers. After graduating from high school in Bethalto Illinois, Bert served with the Army to fight in WW2. Bert served in Patton's Third Army in The Battle of the Bulge, seeing and experiencing war's horror firsthand. A couple days before the war ended, he was shot and spent 6 months in various hospitals around the world. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his heroic service. Upon returning to Bethalto Illinois, he married Beth Elliott, his high school sweeth

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