Percy "Happy" Watkins

Percy "Happy" Watkins, one of Spokane's most prominent civil rights leaders, died Friday at 82. "It is with a heavy heart that we learn about the passing of Reverend Happy Watkins. Born in the Bronx, but a Spokanite in heart and soul since 1961, he has served our community with a heart of gold and helped us remember the words of Dr. King as he recited the “I Have a Dream” speech every year like clockwork and at events throughout the year," Spokane City council President Betsy Wilkerson wrote on Facebook.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Oct. 25, 2024

The Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins visits the Veradale United Church of Christ for a gathering of Faith Leaders & Leaders of Conscience on Feb. 21, 2018, in Spokane Valley just before his retirement from the New Hope Baptist Church. Watkins died Friday at age 82.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
The Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins re-enacts the MLK Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech from the pulpit of Watkin's New Hope Baptist Church, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Percy "Happy' Watkins is greeted by Kaye Hult at a gathering of Faith Leaders & Leaders of Conscience, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at the Veradale United Church of Christ.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Happy Watkins delivers the "I Have a Dream" speech during the MLK Day Annual Unity Rally and March on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The rally occurred at the Spokane Convention Center and preceded the march through the streets of downtown Spokane and both were followed by a resource fair.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins delivers Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, at New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins delivers Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review
The Reverend Percy "Happy" Watkins talks about the relocation of New Hope Baptist Church to Valley Landmark Baptist on Friday, March 3, 2017.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
The Reverend Percy "Happy" Watkins talks about the relocation of New Hope Baptist Church to Valley Landmark Baptist in the Spokane Valley on Friday, March 3, 2017.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Young people line up to have their photo taken with Rev. Happy Watkins Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 after he had finished reciting Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech at the annual MLK Day march in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Happy Watkins speaks to a crowd gathered for a NAACP rally, March 6, 2015, in downtown Spokane, Wash. Watkins died Friday, October 25, 2024, at the age of 82.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
After delivering the “I Have a Dream” speech made famous by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Percy “Happy” Watkins spends a few moments with Catherine Shines on Jan. 15, 2013, at Providence Holy Family Hospital.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
The Reverend Happy Watkins recites portions of Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" during the 30th Annual Human Rights Celebration of the speech at Lake City Community Church in Coeur d'Alene on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
From left Percy "Happy" Watkins as "Holloway", H.W. Tony Anthony as "Memphis" and Frank P. Graham as "Wolf" are part of the usual group that gathers at Memphis Lee's to dicuss the world. Scene from "Two Trains Running" at the Civic Theater in 1995.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Reverend Percy Happy Watkins, among others, gave an inspiring tribute to Carl Maxey in 1997.

Shawn Jacobson The Spokesman-Review
Ivan Bush and Rev. Happy Watkins admire the Michael Anderson statue by the INB Performing Arts Center Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. Watkins is organizer of Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities and Bush is hoping that Spokane designates a street in honor of MLK.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The Rev. Happy Watkins delivers Martin Luthur King Jr’s. famous “I Have a Dream” speech at Whitworth College Chapel in 1996.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
Rev. Percy 'Happy' Watkins, pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church, performs Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech for students at St. Charles Catholic School Wednesday Jan. 13, 2010.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
The Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins re-enacts the "I Have a Dream" speech for the students at Whitworth College in 1989.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Percy Happy Watkins, Calvary Baptist Church in a 1987 photo.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive