Robert "Bob" Watson

1940 - 2022

Robert "Bob" Watson
October 21, 1940 - February 26, 2022
Collinsville, Illinois - Robert "Bob" Watson, of Collinsville, Illinois passed away February 26 from diabetic complications at Highland Health Care Center, Highland, Illinois. He was born on October 21, 1940 in Macomb, Illinois. He was the eldest child of Hugh and Myrtle Walker Watson. Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Margaret Coleman Watson (married April 1, 1967), and two siblings: a sister – (Myrtle) Jeanette Annand of Greenville, South Carolina, and a brother and sister-in-law – Irvin and Kathy Watson of Wauconda, Illinois as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Dr. Patrick Campbell will officiate at services celebrating Bob's life on Saturday, March 26 at the Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, Illinois at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 1:30 until the time of service.
In about 1960, Bob began working part time for the U.S. Postal Service, Macomb. In 1964, he was drafted in the Army and served at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. There he greeted inbound officers. On his duty, Bob proudly wore a dress uniform and was responsible for cutting the inbound officers' orders that arrived via his "Red Phone" from the Pentagon. After discharge, Bob returned to carrying mail for the U.S. Postal Service, Macomb. Bob worked several other positions with the Postal Service including Assistant Postmaster and later Postmaster at Vandalia, Illinois (he retired in 1997).
After retirement, Bob worked Meadow Heights Baptist Church, Fairmount Park, and Enterprise Rental Car Reservations in St. Louis.
Burial will be in the Coleman Plot at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Sandwich, Illinois. Burial services will be private.
Memorials for Mr. Watson should be made by check and made payable to Meadow Heights Baptist Church (Collinsville). The Memorials will be used toward the continuation of the compilation and publication of Rev. Dale Clemens' sermons and writings researched by his daughter in coordination with the church. Rev. Clemens was instrumental in attracting the Bob Watsons to attend and join the church.