Miller Watkins, former district manager for Georgia Power and a prominent Gainesville businessman, died on Friday.

Leaders in the Hall County business community from Watkins' generation say he was responsible for helping bring new industries into Hall County in the 1980s and 1990s.

Miller served as the Northeast Georgia manager for Georgia Power for 23 years until he retired in 1995. He also served as president and board member of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Gainesville.

Watkins died at home with his family from complications with lung cancer, his son Les Watkins said. He was 73.

Clifton McDuffie, former head of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, said Watkins' role in Hall County's economic growth is sometimes underestimated.

"He's sort of one of those unsung heroes," McDuffie told The Times on Sunday.

He said Watkins acted less as a typical natural leader, and instead made his contributions by being supportive to those around him.

"I think he went out of his way to make himself available to be a helper," McDuffie said.

Philip Wilheit, a Gainesville businessman who worked with Watkins through the chamber and other civic organizations said, "Miller did a lot in the '80s and '90s to work on the economic development projects."

Wilheit said Watkins, through his ties with Georgia Power, was in the forefront of drawing new businesses to Hall County during the heyday of the region's economic growth.

"Anytime we needed support from Georgia Power, we knew we could count on him," Wilheit said.

When the chamber was wooing new businesses to the area, McDuffie said Watkins always played his part by offering Georgia Power resources to the deal.

Friend and former co-worker Ed Brown said Watkins was driven by a desire to build a better community.

"It takes growth for a community to be successful," said Brown, who was Watkins' fishing buddy.

"He had a good feel for what the county had to offer - good schools, the lake - and he knew the backbone of what it took to bring industries into the area."

Watkins' old comrades describe an easygoing personality that brought people together.

"(I) thought of him as much as a personal friend as a businessperson," McDuffie said.

A service for Watkins will be held at 11 a.m. today at Lakewood Baptist Church at 2325 Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville.