William M. Watkins was born around 1836. By the early 1860s, he was probably living in Texas. He enlisted in the Confederate army on September 6, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company C of the 2nd Texas Cavalry. His health deteriorated during his military service, and by July 1862, he was suffering from “Phthisis pulmonalis.” A surgeon declared him “incapable of performing the duties of a soldier.” He was probably discharged soon afterward.