[3] He was known as "Watty" during his college baseball career and was reportedly "one of the first lefthanders to develop both a curved and a slow ball and once pitched a no-hit, no-run game."

Watkins wrote that his "most satisfying moment in sports" took place on May 29, 1897, when the team defeated the University of Chicago at the Detroit Athletic Club.

[5] While working at the Northern Pacific Hospital in Missoula, Watkins sustained severe burns on his left arm from the use of an old X-ray machine, which limited his physical capacity to continue his medical practice and resulted in his "virtual retirement" in approximately 1934.

[2] At the time of his death the Billings Gazette called Watkins one of the city's "most distinguished and valuable citizens" and wrote of his devotion to his patients:"Few physicians remained more faithful to the demands and obligations of his profession.

During his more than 30 years here, he served hundreds of citizens who placed the greatest confidence in his medical skill and valued friendships that came through the association of doctor and patient.

"[6]Watkins presented several papers on surgery and physiotherapy to medical societies and served as chairman of the executive committee of St. Vincent Hospital in Billings for many years.

He served on the Billings city council from 1917–1918 and was a member of the local selective service draft board during World War I.

[11] Watkins was a lover of outdoor recreation and an "ardent trout fisherman" who "never lost an opportunity, when practice would permit, to get into the river.