[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 10034-10035]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING WILLIAM MACK WATKINS

  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, the world lost an amazing man last week. 
William Mack Watkins was a wonderful husband, father, brother, 
grandfather and friend. After a lengthy battle with progressive 
supranuclear palsy, PSP, Mack passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 
5, 2014, with his beloved wife Julia and other family by his side.

[[Page 10035]]

  Mack was born in Tremonton, UT, on May 30, 1936, to Clifford Charles 
and Lois Oswald Watkins. Rising from humble beginnings, Mack was proud 
of his rural Northern Utah roots, often saying he was ``just a poor 
peach picker from Brigham City.'' Those who had the privilege of 
knowing Mack knew that he was so much more.
  Mack was a stern believer in the power of education, evidenced by his 
own studies at Box Elder High School and his degree in history from the 
University of Utah, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
  A proud and loyal member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints, Mack served in a variety of capacities including a proselyting 
mission in the Swiss-Austrian Mission from 1956-1959. Later, he was 
called to serve as president alongside his wife over the Czech-Prague 
mission from 1998-2001. He undoubtedly left a lasting legacy at both 
missions.
  Mack had a unique ability to bring people together, and he connected 
with people of all walks of life. He continued and valued continuing 
relationships. He created lifelong friendships with missionaries he 
served with, the Austrian people, business partners and members of the 
LDS church and community. Mack's keen insight in finances led to his 
professional success in the finance industry. After working for two 
renowned Utah companies, Mack formed his own financial services 
business, WMW Management Inc.
  But for all his professional success, Mack's proudest achievements 
came as a loving husband and proud father of nine children whom he 
loved dearly.
  Mack's love for music and fine arts was evident through the 10 years 
he sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as well as his talents with the 
trumpet and guitar. He served as president of the Utah Opera Company 
and enjoyed his season tickets to the Utah Symphony and The Pioneer 
Theater Company. And his patience and perseverance was displayed in his 
love for one of the most humbling hobbies any person can enjoy--golf.
  While Mack was taken from us, his legacy will live on. It is my honor 
to stand with the Watkins family this week and pay tribute to this 
remarkable Utahn we are so proud of, and who we all loved. He will 
never be forgotten.

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