From the Burnet Bulletin, 26 Feb 1948

Dave Watkins Dies

Word reached this place Monday that Mr. Dave Watkins had passed away in a hospital in San Angelo.

The body was shipped to Austin where it was held until today (Thursday) when it was sent to Pursley Cemetery near Dripping Springs with services to be held at 2:00 p.m.

Mr. Watkins at one time lived in this section, having moved to Dripping Springs a good many years ago to engage in the ranching business in which he was very successful.

Our older citizens and his relatives at this place will regret to learn of his death.

[NOTE: William David WATKINS was born 6 Jan 1870 (either Burnet Co., San Saba Co. or Williamson Co.). His father was Dave Watkins who d. 1904 in Burnet and his mother was Mary M. CLARK who d. 1931 in Dripping Springs. From researcher Gerald Watkins, <gdwatkins @ . utexas . edu> Mar 2003]

From History of Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011, compiled by Maurice C. Shelby, on file in the community files of Herman Brown Free Library.

Brother W. D. Watkins was born at Salado, Texas, in Bell County on January 6, 1870, and at an early age in life his father and mother moved to Burnet County and Settled on Cow Creek near the little community of Smithwick.

Brother Watkins was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on July 1, 1893.  He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on August 5, 1893, and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 2, 1893, in Henry Thomas Lodge No. 278 A. F. & A. M., located near Smithwick, Texas in Burnet County.

Brother Watkins demitted from Henry Thomas Lodge No. 278 on November 6, 1909, and on December 9, 1909, he affiliated as a Charter Member of Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011 A.F. & A.M., located at Lake Victor, Texas.  He demitted from Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011 on January 10, 1914, and he remained a demitted Mason the rest of his life.

Brother Watkins was never married as he had to take care of his mother after his father died, and he chose to stay single due to such.

In his later years he lived near Dripping Springs, Texas, but Brother Watkins died at San Angelo, Texas, on February 23, 1948, as he was visiting some of his kinfolks there.  He was brought back to Dripping Springs and buried in the Dripping Springs Cemetery on February 26, 1948.