Watkins was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 17, 1937, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, to a new joint seat created by 49 Stat. 1805. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 2, 1937, and received his commission on March 3, 1937. He served as Chief Judge of the Northern District from 1954 to 1963. Watkins served in that capacity until his death on June 6, 1963.
