Bill Watson

Billy Dean Watson passed away at 91 on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Bill was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, whose life touched all who knew him. His sense of humor could light up any room and made family gatherings so memorable.

Bill was born in 1930 in Mexia, Texas, where he grew up on Main Street with his parents and younger brother. During grade school he developed a love for playing the trumpet that continued throughout his life. After graduating high school in 1948, Bill entered the U.S. Navy where he played trumpet in the Navy School of Music in Washington D.C., and the Navy Fleet Band, both in San Diego, CA and Honolulu, HI. He worked his way through college, attending North Texas State while playing in the Lab Band, and then in the Longhorn Band at The University of Texas where he graduated in 1958 with a B.A. in Geology. Bill then began a 25-year career in the petroleum industry and served as regional sales manager of the Gulf Coast for Sperry Sun Drilling Services.

Bill met and married his wife Jean in 1975, having celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary this year. Together with Jean during his retirement, they enjoyed golfing, bowling and music, and he played his trumpet in several community bands and orchestras, most recently in the Sugar Land Baptist Church Orchestra where they attend church.

Others included: Missouri City Pops Band, Singing Men of Texas Orchestra, Longhorn Alumni Band, Missouri City Baptist Church Orchestra, Sugar Creek Baptist Church Orchestra and The Silvertones.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Jewelle Watson; Jean’s parents David and Irene Ligon; brother Jim Watson; daughter Terri Melancon; great grandson Hunter Watson; and niece Kimberly Watson. He is survived by his wife Jean; his sons and daughters in-law Jimmy Watson of Needville, TX; Mark and Dawn Watson of Needville, TX; Randy and Linda Watson of Colorado Springs, CO; and David and Tina Watson of Wharton, TX; 13 grandchildren with spouses including James (Coleby) Watson and Brittani May, Tylor and Darrell Gander, Jake Watson, Justin and Brittany Watson, Josh Melancon, Trey and Casey Tice, Ryan Watson, Savannah Watson, Ashley Watson, Kinsey Shackelford, Grayson and Kaylynn Shackelford, Billy Watson, and Elizabeth Watson; 7 great grandchildren including Riley, Morgan, Paisley, Cason, Hadley, Gentry and Sawyer; sisters in-law Anita Watson of Bryan, TX and Judy Ligon of Missouri City, TX; brother and sister in-law Glynn and Kelly Ligon of Austin, TX; and nieces and nephews Aly and Clint Culp; Kyle and Alex Ligon; and Shelby Ligon.

A visitation for Bill will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Sugarland Baptist Church, 16755 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479. A funeral service will occur Friday, November 26, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479. A committal service will occur Friday, November 26, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Watson family.