Crayton M. Watkins; Retired Aerospace Machinist

Crayton M. Watkins, who worked as an aerospace precision machinist for 35 years, has died in Burbank. He was 79.

Watkins died Friday after a recent bout with the flu, said his son Lee Watkins.

A native of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Watkins moved to Burbank in 1943 and was hired that year by Menasco Inc., an aerospace systems firm in Burbank. In 1953, he served as president of the International Assn. of Machinists, Lodge 758, in Burbank. He retired in 1978.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty Watkins; sons, Ted Watkins and Lee Watkins of Burbank; daughters, Betty Ann Florka and Sue Ellen Watkins of Burbank; a brother, William Watkins of Algona, Iowa; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles, with burial to follow. The Valley Funeral Home in Burbank handled the arrangements.