Edward Durland Watson

Edward Durland Watson of Benton, transitioned from this life to his heavenly home, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He was born in Fordyce, AR to James D. and Ivey Marie Brown Watson on April 17, 1935. At the age of 5, his family moved to New Orleans for his Dad to work in the shipyards during the war. His family lived there for a short time & then moved back to Arkansas to Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents; first love of his life, Sina "Sandy" Louise Davis Parker Watson; sister, Margaret Etta Brown; brother, James Deverne Watson; son, Ryan Keith Pratt and grandson, Reuben Parker.
Ed joined the Navy at the age of 17 and spent 4 years aboard the USS Spangler. After returning to civilian life, he joined the Little Rock Fire Department where he retired 39 years later as a captain. His son, son-in-law, grandson, and great grandson followed in his footsteps which he was so proud of. After the first year with the fire department, he married Sandy, who had two young children. He became their Dad from the start and has felt that way all these years. After he lost Sandy, the Lord sent him the second love of his life, Linda Pratt, who had two grown children that he adopted as his own just as readily. He has said many times that he doesn't understand why God would send him two such special ladies to share his life with and be able to be dad to four wonderful children in addition to his own biological son, Bill, born to he and Sandy He refused to use the word step, they were all his!
When he married Linda, he took her on a Mexico Mission Trip to Saltillo, Coahuila for their honeymoon. She was hooked. It became their life's passion helping people find the Lord. They soon started supporting a mission there which they continued over the years and continued to do so even after they moved to Benton & became members of Holland Chapel. They loved traveling to this beautiful nation that God created as well as Mexico and Canada. The family would like to thank Cheryl, Becky, Carly, Rebecca, Laura and Krista with Arkansas Hospice for taking such excellent care of him over all these years. They became like family to us all. Ed had a very special bond with Krista, his CNA, they both knew how much they loved one another, and their bond was very special to witness.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Gardner Pratt-Watson; his sister, Nadine Laird children: Linda Parker Solloway, Rusty Parker (Juanita), Bill Watson (Suellen), Misty Pratt Walls (Ronnie); Grandchildren: Lonnie Solloway (BJ), Lance Solloway, Lacey Solloway, Keela Parker Cleghorn (Damon), Billy Watson, Nick Watson, Josh Watson, Julie Watson Bohannon (Jason) and their son Theodore, Brittany Rea Dotson (Lionel), Triston Rea, Ashton Rea (Luke Williams), Tatum Walls, Alexis Pratt Childers (Cole Ray), Elizabeth Pratt Barentine (Cameron), Tyler Pratt (Sam); 18 great grandchildren; 5 great great-grandchildren;; and Luz Serta Rodriquez who he adopted from his missionary work in Mexico. He has always called her his Mexican daughter.
Celebration of Life held at Holland Chapel Thursday, July 17, 2025 with visitation 5:30-6:30 PM and funeral to follow. Honorary Pallbearers are Billy Watson, Nick Watson, Josh Watson, Tyler Pratt, Jason Bohannon, Damon Cleghorn, Lonnie Solloway and LJ Solloway.
At his request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Samaritan's Purse P.O. Box 3000 Boone, North Carolina 28607,
Arkansas Hospice 14 Parkstone Dr. North Little Rock 72116 or
charity of your choice
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.