Anthony “Tony” Joe Watkins
Mr. Anthony “Tony” Watkins, age 75, of Benton, KY, passed away peacefully at home on May 8, 2026.
Born on July 28, 1951, to Billy Joe Watkins and Dodi Chandler Hook, Tony was raised in Ballard County, KY. He was a devoted Christian, beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, mentor, and respected nonprofit leader in philanthropy. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to serving others through faith, wisdom, generosity, and compassion, leaving a lasting impact across western Kentucky and beyond.
Tony lived a life rooted in service and purpose as an ordained minister of Christ. He served in the United States Army as a medic at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He later graduated from Georgetown University and built a distinguished career in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. He advised ministries nationwide on charitable giving, helping organizations build lasting resources to sustain their missions for generations to come.
Tony served as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of West Kentucky for 25 years. During his tenure, the foundation experienced tremendous growth, distributing tens of millions of dollars to nonprofits throughout western Kentucky and awarding more than a million dollars in scholarships to students. He was especially known for his work establishing the Endow Kentucky Tax Credit and administering the Fred Paxton Challenge for Charities, which raised more than $10 million for Paducah-area nonprofits under his leadership.
His influence extended far beyond the boardroom. Tony invested deeply in people, encouraged others in their calling, and quietly helped organizations navigate seasons of challenge, growth, and hope.
Tony will be remembered for the smile that could brighten any room. To know him was to love him — and to know you were loved in return. His legacy of kindness lives on through his daughter, Ashley Czirr, her husband Zach, and his grandsons, West, William, and Wyatt.
Above all else, Tony cherished his bride and his family. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Veanne Johnson Watkins; his daughter, Ashley Czirr (Zach) and their three sons, West, William, and Wyatt, of Lexington, KY; Veanne’s daughter, Emily Johnson (Kyle), and their children, Zoe, Bennett, and Reese, of Nashville, TN; and Veanne’s son, Reed Stewart, of Denver, CO.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, sister, and grandson, Woodson.
The family will honor Tony’s life with a Celebration of Life at a later date. Friends and loved ones wishing to receive details are encouraged to contact the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the GoFundMe created in Tony’s honor to assist with end-of-life expenses during this difficult time. https://gofund.me/4b9af93ae
