Born to Mary and William Watkinson, he grew up in Filey marrying Mary Ellen and moving to Seadale House, Grove Terrace where they settled and had a family.  Billy was better known as ‘Butter’ (like his son who was aboard the Silverline in WWII) and had a reputation of being a lucky skipper to put to sea with. 

He had bought the first steam powered coble in Filey, the Lord Kitchener some years before and had lately replaced it with the Zebulon.  This steam drifter was commandeered at the beginning of the war, and Butter and his crew were ordered to sail to the Dardanelles as part of the Royal Naval Reserve on minesweeping duties.  Although he lost a stone in weight whilst he was away, Butter remained in good health and it wasn’t until they returned home that he became ill.

          Within two days of docking in Portsmouth he was taken into hospital, and his family sent for from Filey.  Unfortunately, he died shortly after their arrival and his body was taken back to Filey and buried in St. Oswald’s Churchyard.