Bob was born in Visalia on June 13th, 1930 to Harley E. Watkins and Alpha A. (Beck) Watkins. Bob attended Visalia schools and graduated from Visalia Union High School in 1949. He had an older sister Frances Griffith and brother Eugene E. Watkins.
He entered the Navy in Jan. 1951 and was aboard a ship off the Korean Coast for 2 years, the Marshall Islands for 1 year, and the Hawaiian Island for 6 months before his honorable discharge. After returning to Visalia, he attended COS for a short time. Bob gained his sense of style working for Don McWilliams Clothing, his business aptitude as a partner in Hanford Building Supplies, and his love for beautiful homes through his time as a Real Estate Agent, Broker and a Building Contractor. Bob loved Visalia and left his mark building over 200 homes across the Central Valley and Central Coast.
In 1989, he married his wife Sylvia, where they traveled the world throughout their beautiful 34 year marriage. They traveled to all seven continents and sailed 55 cruises!
Bob was blessed with three children from his first marriage: Laura Jean Watkins John, Michael James Watkins, and his son Robert "Bobby" Lee Watkins Jr., who predeceased Bob. He also had three step-children with Sylvia: Sherri Rosenberg, Scott Hamilton, and Steven Hamilton, along with his loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
