William Willie Otis Gaskins III

NEW BERN, NC --- William "Willie" Otis Gaskins, III, 59, of the Antioch Community went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 1, 2016. Willie was born in Saint Lukes Hospital in New Bern in 1956. He was raised on the family farm and became very skilled at operating and repairing farm equipment and taking care of livestock. He loved cars and when he was younger, would take his siblings on fast and scary rides along dirt roads near the family farm. Because of his passion for driving, after he graduated from New Bern Senior High School, he began a career in long haul trucking and briefly, ran his own trucking business. After being diagnosed with diabetes, he was no longer able to continue long haul trucking. With his skill and expertise in operating machinery, he began his second career at PCS Phosphate operating heavy machinery, another job that he thoroughly enjoyed. After retirement, he spent time with his father and son and used his creative mind to stay busy. Recently, he went on several long haul trips with a friend and he spoke of how fun it was and all the fond memories he had while trucking.

Willie is the son of Mr. and the late Mrs. William "Billy" O. Gaskins, Jr. He is also survived by one son, William "Little Willie" O. Gaskins, IV, a grandson, Carter Lee, of Reelsboro and four siblings, Adrian Gaskins of Goldsboro, and Jerry, Terry, and Beverly Gaskins, all of New Bern.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Cotten Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 3:00 pm at the Gaskins Family Cemetery on Antioch Road.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made in Willie's memory to the American Diabetes Association.