Paul Lewis Watkins passed away on February 23, 2025, at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama. He was 79 years old.
Paul was born on March 11, 1945, in Mineral Wells, Texas. He served honorably in the United States Army in Korea and at Fort Rucker, where he met his future wife of 56 years. Both before and after his Army service he served in many roles providing aircraft maintenance support to the U.S. Army flight training mission. First at Fort Wolters, Texas, then at Fort Rucker, Alabama until his retirement in February 2011. Paul loved to fish and hunt, and enjoyed sharing his skills and passion with his two sons. He was also an excellent cook, and was celebrated and appreciated for sharing his talents at family fish fries and barbeques.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Waitmon and Oleta Watkins, his brothers John David and James “Jim” Watkins, and his sisters Carolyn “Sis” Faulkenberry (Chess) and Sandra Springwater (Wilkie).
Paul is survived by his wife, Shirley Ayers Watkins, two sons, Paul Lee (Dolores) and James (Eva) Watkins, his grandson William Watkins, his granddaughter Kaye Watkins, and many extended family members, friends, and neighbors whose lives he touched over the years.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public funeral services.
