Westborough – Benjamin J. Watkins, 84, of Westborough, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015 at the Universal Healthcare Skilled Nursing Center in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. He was the husband of Margaret J. (Coxon) Watkins.
Born in New Castle, Penn., he was the son of the late Benjamin and Lavona (Thompson) Watkins. He was educated in Medina, N.Y. schools and earned an associate’s degree from Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island. During the late 1950s, he served with the United States Army, attaining the rank of SP 4.
Benjamin was employed as a pipe fitter and Skilled Trades Foreman at General Motors in Framingham for 30 years, retiring in 1989.
He was a member of the former First Baptist Church in Westborough and a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven, Fla. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.
In addition to his wife of almost 58 years, he is survived by one son, Paul S. Watkins and his wife Bernadette of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; one sister, Carol Corbett of Auburndale, Fla.; three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Adriana and Peter; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Monday, Aug. 17, from 4-6 p.m., at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough. A private graveside funeral service, with military honors, will take place in Lakeview Cemetery of Upton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Green Beret Foundation, 18756 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78258 or at www.greenberetfoundation.org.
