Barry Lyman Watkins Sr.

Barry Lyman Watkins Sr. of Stratham New Hampshire passed away peacefully on Friday February 13th, surrounded by his family. Barry, also known as "The Bear" was born on December 30, 1935 in Leominster Massachusetts. He was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Osborne T and Angie May Watkins. He graduated from Leominster High school in 1954 and East Coast Aero Tech in 1955. Barry applied and was accepted into the Air Force Aviation cadet program. He flew tankers for the Air Force and after two tours to Viet Nam he was honorably discharged as a Major. He was hired as a pilot with Northeast Airlines in Boston Massachusetts. In 1972 Northeast airlines merged with Delta Airlines. He retired from Delta as a Captain in October 1995, he had devoted nearly four decades to the aviation industry.

He loved watching and playing football, skiing, riding his motorcycle, boating and traveling in his RV. For many years he enjoyed summers at Bow Lake and had to have the fastest boat on the lake. He was an active member of the friends of Bill W program for forty eight wonderful years.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years Sherrill (Snow) Watkins, daughters, Brenda and her husband Alan Feaster of Anchorage Alaska and Lori Watkins of Stratham New Hampshire and his sons Barry Watkins Jr of Barrington New Hampshire and Scott Watkins and his wife Ruth of Old Orchard Beach Maine and four grandchildren Megan, Zachary, Rachel and Nicholas

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring.