Bernard Botkin

Memorial services for Bernard B. Botkin, Jr., 71, of Gatesville, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Honeycutt's, 7303 Airport Road in Temple. A casual, come and go social gathering and BBQ lunch will follow military honors.

Mr. Botkin passed away Monday, April 10, at his home in Gatesville.

Bernard B. Botkin, Jr. was born November 13, 1945 at Coryell Memorial Hospital in Gatesville to Bernard Bradford "Bod" Botkin, Sr., and Evah Omagene "Priss" Palmer Botkin. He attended and graduated from Flat School in 1963 and then attended Tarleton State University for a short time, pursuing a career in welding. After being drafted by the U.S. Army and serving in Vietnam, he returned home and became quite the entrepreneur. He owned and operated several businesses, from Triple B Construction to Three B Services. BB had many jobs throughout his life, including offshore deep sea fishing in Alaska, under-water welding, contract welding in Saudi Arabia, welding for Chicago Bridge and Iron, operating a bar in Kemah, Texas, offshore oil pipeline inspector for Koch Hydrocarbon, ranching, and owning and operating a sandblasting business.

BB enjoyed shooting his guns, fishing, and riding his four-wheeler. He was always a man with a vision and a dream. He had no fears and lived life to the fullest. He was always eager to pursue new endeavors, saying that "if you throw enough on the wall, eventually something will stick!" He made countless friends throughout his life, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Mr. Botkin is preceded in death by his father, Bernard B. Botkin, Sr., his mother, Evah Omagene Palmer, and his sister, Linda Sue Botkin.

He is survived by a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in BB's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project http://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate.

Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple is in charge of arrangements.

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