Wilson Lee ‘Bill’ Watson

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On Feb. 25, 2019, Wilson Lee “Bill” Watson took his last breaths on earth at 4:20 p.m. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen, who was in the room with him ’til the end; his only son, LeRoy Watson (wife Tammy); grandchildren, Brandon and Hunter Watson, Tammara Riggs, Jestine Thieme-Watson, Josiah Watson, Devonte Vital, and nine greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his five sisters, Nikki, Elaine, Zelma, Fran and Nelda; his brother Sonny and countless nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents Art and Hazel Watson and his Brother Wendell Watson. 

He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and loved spending time with his son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His grandchildren just knew him as Grandpa Globe. Bill and Helen lived in Globe for over 20 years and before that over 20 years in Oracle and before that they spent time living in New Mexico and Colorado. Bill and Helen were both from Illinois, Bill from Streator and Helen from Pontiac. They met in Streator where Helen worked at Owens Illinois Glass and Bill was truck driver. Bill was always an adventurer and was always looking for the next big thing. He managed and owned mining properties, owned and operated his own trucking company, drove for others, owned a gas station and restaurants at different times. He also worked as a carpenter and form setter, heavy equipment operator and mill operator. 

He built the first condos in Crested Butte and Vail Colorado, He had been in every state in the union, Australia and the jungles of the Philippines. 

He enlisted in the Army in 1946 at the age of 17 and fought the remnant of the Japanese army for nearly a year in the Philippines. He was always very proud of his military service in the Army Combat Engineers. He received the WWII, Pacific Theater, Philippines Campaign, Sharp Shooter and good conduct medals. After the Army, he drove truck. His first truck was a 1940 Mack with a Sherman tank engine in it. He worked until he was 80 years old in heavy construction and mining. He worked in Alaska doing industrial construction with a little mining and could run any piece of equipment he got on. He built bridges, smelters, mills, and anything else to make a buck. They moved to Globe with friends and when they died unexpectedly, took their family on as their own. He known as Papah to Sue Tyler and grandpa to Justin, Steven and Mindy and Mindy was always there with him and they had a wonderful relationship. 

In Globe he was always willing to help anyone out and was famous for helping out little old ladies with home repairs. As age and failing health caught up to him, he resided in a nursing home in Tucson with Helen who is still there. He loved going to family reunions in Illinois and seeing his family. He was known as a story teller and just a little bit ornery. His wit and stories will be greatly missed.

There will be a ceremony at Desert View Baptist at 2 p.m. on March 10, 2019 and the funeral will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Friday March 29, 2019.