Roll Call Tribute
William "Bill" Watson Jr. '51 January 26, 2021 4:19 PM updated: January 26, 2021 4:36 PM
William Ernest "Bill" Watson Jr.
Wednesday, October 16th, 1929 - Saturday, December 5th, 2020
William (Bill) E. Watson, Jr. was born in Luling, Texas, in the small green house where “Natures Nest” recently had its place of business on Pierce Street. He was born on October 16, 1929, to Kitty Ollre Watson and Willie Watson. The Great Depression went easy on Luling because of the discovery of oil. Bill’s father found work and sustenance for his new family by working in the oil field. After Kitty and Willie added a second child, a girl often called “Teeny” or “Teeniney” to their family, they moved into a small house in Ragtown built by two of Bill’s uncles.
When time for Bill to go to school, the family moved into Luling and he enrolled in the first grade taught by Mike Thompson (later Mrs. John Watkins.) Another of his early education teachers was Mrs. Wayne Watkins, sister-in-law of Mrs. John Watkins. After graduation from L.I.S.D. in 1947 Bill entered Texas A&M, using a small savings that he had accumulated from working at various jobs and he was able to work his way through A&M without any outside help. He obtained a B.S. degree in Agronomy, was a member of the Agronomy Club, Alpha Zeta Fraternity, Caldwell County Club, a Distinguished Student and Distinguished Military Graduate. His attendance at church services three times a week at the College Station Church of Christ as well as his personal habits of non-drinking alcohol, non-swearing etc. earned him his nickname at A & M. He was called “Preacher” or “Deacon”. Never “Bill”.
Upon graduation he was employed by the Soil Conservation Service in San Angelo, TX where he met and married Lois McDade, his wife of almost 69 years. After a two-year military stent in Korea in the 1343 Engineer Combat Battalion, he and Lois entered Law School at Texas University and worked their way through it in 1956. He was a Chancellor, Member of Texas Law Review, Order of Coif, graduated second in his graduation class and was the father of a daughter, Erin Elizabeth, who was born during his senior year.
After graduating from law school Bill accepted a position with Humble Oil and Refining Co. in the Law Department and spent seven years there. He was Board Certified in Oil and Gas. After leaving what was became Exxon Corporation, he was house counsel for Wesley West, an independent oil man.
The family which grew to five with the birth of a son, Will, and daughter, Margaret, lived in West University Place, TX where Bill was a city councilman and then mayor of the City. He continued his activities in the Southwest Church of Christ where he was a deacon and bible school teacher.
After the death of Wesley West, Bill and Lois practiced law together in Houston, forming the partnership designated as Watson & Watson, LLP.
In the yea r 2000, Lois and Bill semi-retired and moved to Luling on land accumulated over the years. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Genealogical and Historical Society, Zedler Mill Foundation, Caldwell County Appraisal District, L.I.S.D ex-students, Master Naturalist, Caldwell County Agricultural Committee, Plum Creek Watershed, the Luling Church of Christ and The Watson farm.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter Erin Elizabeth Leavitt and husband Richard Leavitt of San Marcos; son Will Watson and wife Sherri Watson of Luling; daughter Margaret (Meg) Girard and husband Arnaud Girard of Seattle, Washington, grandsons, William, Alex, Lee, Zach and Jake and one great-grandson, Everett.
Pallbearers will be Will Watson, Lee Leavitt, Alex Watson, Richard Leavitt, William Watson, & Bennie Pierce.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday December 9, at the Luling Church of Christ with Steve Sandifer & Richard Leavitt officiating.
Graveside Services will follow in the Luling Cemetery.
“Due to current CDC, State and local mandates, protective measures regarding social distancing, limited attendance capacity, and use of personal protective masks will be required for the visitation, chapel service and graveside burial rite. Services are under the care and direction of O'Bannon Funeral Home”
Visitation
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 5:00pm - 7:00pm
O'Bannon Funeral Home
210 S. Laurel Ave.
LULING, TX 78648
Service
Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 2:00pm
Luling Church of Christ
1840 E. Pierce St.
LULING, TX 78648
Interment
Luling Cemetery
LULING, TX 78648
©O’Bannon Funeral Home
Wednesday, October 16th, 1929 - Saturday, December 5th, 2020
William (Bill) E. Watson, Jr. was born in Luling, Texas, in the small green house where “Natures Nest” recently had its place of business on Pierce Street. He was born on October 16, 1929, to Kitty Ollre Watson and Willie Watson. The Great Depression went easy on Luling because of the discovery of oil. Bill’s father found work and sustenance for his new family by working in the oil field. After Kitty and Willie added a second child, a girl often called “Teeny” or “Teeniney” to their family, they moved into a small house in Ragtown built by two of Bill’s uncles.
When time for Bill to go to school, the family moved into Luling and he enrolled in the first grade taught by Mike Thompson (later Mrs. John Watkins.) Another of his early education teachers was Mrs. Wayne Watkins, sister-in-law of Mrs. John Watkins. After graduation from L.I.S.D. in 1947 Bill entered Texas A&M, using a small savings that he had accumulated from working at various jobs and he was able to work his way through A&M without any outside help. He obtained a B.S. degree in Agronomy, was a member of the Agronomy Club, Alpha Zeta Fraternity, Caldwell County Club, a Distinguished Student and Distinguished Military Graduate. His attendance at church services three times a week at the College Station Church of Christ as well as his personal habits of non-drinking alcohol, non-swearing etc. earned him his nickname at A & M. He was called “Preacher” or “Deacon”. Never “Bill”.
Upon graduation he was employed by the Soil Conservation Service in San Angelo, TX where he met and married Lois McDade, his wife of almost 69 years. After a two-year military stent in Korea in the 1343 Engineer Combat Battalion, he and Lois entered Law School at Texas University and worked their way through it in 1956. He was a Chancellor, Member of Texas Law Review, Order of Coif, graduated second in his graduation class and was the father of a daughter, Erin Elizabeth, who was born during his senior year.
After graduating from law school Bill accepted a position with Humble Oil and Refining Co. in the Law Department and spent seven years there. He was Board Certified in Oil and Gas. After leaving what was became Exxon Corporation, he was house counsel for Wesley West, an independent oil man.
The family which grew to five with the birth of a son, Will, and daughter, Margaret, lived in West University Place, TX where Bill was a city councilman and then mayor of the City. He continued his activities in the Southwest Church of Christ where he was a deacon and bible school teacher.
After the death of Wesley West, Bill and Lois practiced law together in Houston, forming the partnership designated as Watson & Watson, LLP.
In the yea r 2000, Lois and Bill semi-retired and moved to Luling on land accumulated over the years. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Genealogical and Historical Society, Zedler Mill Foundation, Caldwell County Appraisal District, L.I.S.D ex-students, Master Naturalist, Caldwell County Agricultural Committee, Plum Creek Watershed, the Luling Church of Christ and The Watson farm.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter Erin Elizabeth Leavitt and husband Richard Leavitt of San Marcos; son Will Watson and wife Sherri Watson of Luling; daughter Margaret (Meg) Girard and husband Arnaud Girard of Seattle, Washington, grandsons, William, Alex, Lee, Zach and Jake and one great-grandson, Everett.
Pallbearers will be Will Watson, Lee Leavitt, Alex Watson, Richard Leavitt, William Watson, & Bennie Pierce.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday December 9, at the Luling Church of Christ with Steve Sandifer & Richard Leavitt officiating.
Graveside Services will follow in the Luling Cemetery.
“Due to current CDC, State and local mandates, protective measures regarding social distancing, limited attendance capacity, and use of personal protective masks will be required for the visitation, chapel service and graveside burial rite. Services are under the care and direction of O'Bannon Funeral Home”
Visitation
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 5:00pm - 7:00pm
O'Bannon Funeral Home
210 S. Laurel Ave.
LULING, TX 78648
Service
Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 2:00pm
Luling Church of Christ
1840 E. Pierce St.
LULING, TX 78648
Interment
Luling Cemetery
LULING, TX 78648
©O’Bannon Funeral Home
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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