William Francis Watkins was the son of Matthew Watkins and Emma Cole.

William was born on Thursday 15 September 1842 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

He was christened on Sunday 9 October 1842 at St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

William married Janie Catherine Mitton in 1878 in the Atcham Registration District, Shropshire (Mar Qtr).

He had the following children from his marriage to Janie Catherine Mitton:

- Florence Kate Watkins	born around 1879 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- William Francis M. Watkins	born in 1880 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- Adeline May Watkins	born around 1884 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- Reginald Nelson Watkins	born in 1885 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- Kathleen Hilda Watkins	born in 1887 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- Bernard Normand Watkins	born in 1890 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

William was a Tailor and Draper.

William died when he was 64 years old, in 1907 in the Atcham Registration District (Mar Qtr).  

Census Data:

Year	Address
1851	Claremont Street, St Chad, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
1861	Claremont Street, St Chad, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
1871	32 Albert Street, St Mary, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
1881	Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
1891	6a Pride Hill, St Mary, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
1901	Ashbourne House, Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.