Jeffery Watson

Born January 7, 1967 in Pekin to Delmar and Mary (Bell) Watson, he married Debbie Friend Crawford on September 30, 2000 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one stepson, Nathanial (Emily) Crawford of Aurora, Colorado; one sister, Kim (Doug) Hoover; three nieces, Hannah Hoover and Stacy (Clay) Schuette and Jodie (Jerry) Reid; one nephew, Aaron Hoover, and several great-nieces and nephews, Zachary, Alyssa, Jacob, Ryan, Samuel, and Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Roger Friend.

Jeffery was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served as a gold wing of the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. He was also a member of the Pekin Marine Corps League.

He worked for the Illinois River Correctional Center retiring August 1, 2021, after 30 ½ years and was a member of the Illinois Department of Corrections Union.

Jeff enjoyed fishing, target shooting, writing poetry and listening to music with his wife. He also enjoyed scuba diving, sharks, tattoos and jumping out of planes in the middle of the ocean. He had plans on learning to play the guitar and will remembered for his kind and humble nature.

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Chip Herbert will officiate. Visitation will be 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Military rites will be held following the service. Cremation will accorded following the service.

A gathering celebrating Jeff’s life will be held following the funeral service at the Pekin VFW.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas or Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com