Paul R. Watson

Paul R. Watson, 91 of Peoria, passed away at 10:00 AM on Sunday July 22, 2012, at Rosewood Care Center in Peoria. He was born on October 31, 1920 in Roseville, IL, the son of Sidney Rexford (Rex) and Lucy Pratt Watson. He married Marjorie E. Elliott on April 12, 1945 in Monmouth. She preceded him in death on January 24, 2007.

Paul is survived by two sons Gregg (Katherine) Watson of Bloomington, IL and Douglas (Janyce) Watson of Springfield, IL; one daughter Julie Watson of Peoria; five Grandsons Andrew (Jaclyn) Watson of Springfield, Thomas (Claire) Watson of Greenville, SC, Joshua (Elizabeth) Watson of Springfield, Timothy (Christine) Watson of Lombard, and Eric Watson of University City, MO; five Great Grandchildren, Colin, Paul, Liam, Charlie, and Sophie Watson; one nephew and two nieces.

Besides Marjorie, he was preceded in death by his parents, one Great Grandson, Noah Watson, a Brother-in-Law and a Sister-in-Law.

An Army Air Force veteran of WWII, Paul was a 1st Lieutenant and a navigator aboard a B-26 in the European Theatre (England and France). He served his country from August 6, 1940 to November 15, 1945.

Paul was a 1947 graduate from Monmouth College, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. He started at the Northern Regional Laboratory (Ag Lab) in Peoria in 1947 and worked there until he retired in 1983. He was the secretary of their retiree group from 1994 to 2011. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Peoria Astronomical Society.

Paul was a kind, thoughtful, and loving person. He will be truly missed.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He headed the Share Food Program there and at Arcadia Presbyterian Church for 14 years. He had been an Elder at Arcadia Presbyterian Church.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday July 28, 2012 at the United Presbyterian Church in Peoria. The Rev. Dr. Randall Saxon will officiate. A visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 AM prior to the service. Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday at Roseville Cemetery in Roseville, IL. Memorials may be made to the United Presbyterian Church, 2400 West Northmoor Rd., Peoria, IL 61614-3343. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel is in care of the arrangements.