Mr. Carl Bennett Watson Jr.

COLUMBIA - Carl “Billy” Watson, son of the late Carl Bennett and Victoria Hathcock Watson, died January 27, 2016 in Columbia. Born January 16, 1933, in Cheraw, South Carolina, Billy attended Cheraw public schools and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1955 and the USC School of Law in 1958. He was a member of the USC student council and twice class president; a member of Kappa Alpha social fraternity, and president of ODK and KSK honor fraternities. Billy was also editor of The Garnet and Black yearbook and named USC’s Outstanding Senior and Who’s Who in colleges and universities. Upon graduation from Law school, Billy joined Wachovia Bank in Winston Salem, NC where he was loan officer in the North Carolina and Virginia Corporate Division. Later he was a national division officer of NCNB in Charlotte, which is now Bank of America. In 1967, Governor Robert E. McNair appointed Billy Assistant Director and later, Director of Foreign Investment and Trade of the SC State Development Board, currently the SC Department of Commerce. He led the first U.S. textile trade mission to the Far East. He was most proud of foreign companies he helped locate in SC such as Michelin Tire, Robert Bosch, Koyo Bearings, Fuji Film and others that continue to employ thousands of people in South Carolina. In 1972, he received the Order of the Palmetto by the governor for his dedication to his work and community. That year Billy became Senior Vice President of Interstate Securities in Charlotte. He was also President of ISC Realty, a subsidiary of Interstate Securities and a board member of both companies, and listed in the 1987-88 and 89-90 Editions of Who’s Who in Finance and Industry. Billy served on the Governmental Relations Committee of the Securities Industry Association and he enjoyed a close relationship with several Wall Street firms. He has been a lay reader, an usher and a Sunday-school teacher at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. Proud of his Scottish heritage, Billy enjoyed his membership in the St. Andrews Societies of North Carolina and Columbia. He was a well-known expert on the history of Cheraw and he enjoyed being the guide of historic tours of Cheraw and was often invited to speak to many civic organizations interested in Cheraw’s history. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Moore Milling Watson; daughter, Victoria ‘Vicki’ Watson of Mt. Pleasant; son, Judge Carl Bennett Watson III (Tracy) of Mt. Pleasant; daughter, Lilian ‘Lil’ Watson Gist (Bill) of Cumming, Ga.; grandchildren, Travis and Ryan Rutland, Julia, Anna, and Daniel Watson, and Spencer, Andrew, Lauren and Matthew Gist; stepsons, Michael Culler (Gayle) and daughter, Amanda ‘Dickens’ of Orangeburg; Caldwell Culler (and Nancy ‘Ellison’ Lott) of Edisto Beach; nieces, Beth Brabham (Lamar) and Lou Ellen Watson (Edward). Billy is predeceased by sisters, Mary Elizabeth Watson and Lou Eva Watson Lawrence (Tommy). Billy was previously married to Lilian Twitty, the mother of Billy’s children (Vicki, Bennett and Lil). Billy’s friends always thought of him as a life-time friend. He loved his children and was instrumental in their lives, a doting grandfather and family member and a most affectionate husband. A memorial service for Billy will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 1, 2016 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The family will receive friends and family following the service at his home. Memorials may be made to Trinity Foundation, 1100 Sumter St., Columbia SC 29201.