NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Skip Watkins, a former county commissioner who served from 2014 to 2018, has passed away according to family.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Watkins, Zapple join New Hanover commission; Barfield elected chairman
Watkins, 66, died on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Originally from Goldsboro, Watkins moved to Wilmington in the mid-1970s to attend UNCW and graduated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. He managed Hughes Brothers Tires before going into investment advising and he taught courses at Mt. Olive college, as well as was a magistrate for the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Watkins also managed Cape Fear Fair and Expo, was on the board of directors for the NC Association of Agricultural Fairs, co-chaired the Azalea Festival Circus Committee, and ran for city council in 2013 but lost.
He became county commissioner in New Hanover County from 2014 to 2018, but lost his re-bid. He ran for re-election in 2020 and came out on top during the primaries as the top vote-getter; however, he didn’t secure enough votes in the general election that year to reclaim his seat.
A celebration of life will be held at the Riverlights Lakehouse, 4124 Watercraft Ferry Ave., on Sunday, Nov. 17, noon – 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
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