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Billy Watson Obituary
Our beloved dad, papa, brother, husband and friend, Billy "Waldo" Watson passed peacefully from this world to the next in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 3rd, 2022. After a 6 year battle with cancer that was fought until his last breath, Waldo is no longer restrained to his earthly body.
Billy was a Vietnam veteran, and carried the scars with him all his adult life. A Grateful Dead fan from the start, he could tell the best stories about the days after the war, and the great times had with friends. He was an accomplished contractor, owner of Bill Watson Construction, and built many houses in the High Country. In his healthier days, he was an avid hiker, fisherman, and even mountain biker. He loved wildflowers. He and his caring wife, Jean, would spend some of their best days driving every length of backroads in these-here-hills, spotting wild orchids and stretching their legs on the trails. He was the most excellent dad. His children never wanted for anything, and he instilled a strong will and hard head in each of them.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jean Simpson Watson, and his four children: Jonathan Orion Watson (wife Lindsay), Christopher Thomas Watson (wife Leah), Kathryn Elizabeth Watson (husband Matthew Odom), and Rebecca Watson Anderson (husband Jason). Papa Waldo had eight beautiful grandchildren, Aria and Kira Watson; Oliver, Samantha and Evelyn Odom; and Greyson, Liam and Micah Anderson. He leaves behind his loving sister Sandy and brother-in-law Jim Austin and their children Robbie, Jeffrey and Tracy as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephew, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Please celebrate Bill, Billy, Butch, Waldo, whatever you may have called him, in any way you see fit. The family will have a memorial service with details to be shared privately at a later date.
If you wish to honor Billy's life, please contribute to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. www.ncwildlife.org
Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Watson family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Billy Watson
Sponsored by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
3 Entries
Chad Singleton
August 19, 2025
I miss you Waldo
Maurice Collette
October 12, 2024
I noticed this when I heard Banner Elk NC. My name is Mo Collette and I served in the 4th platoon Vietnam. I believe Bill and I were in the same platoon. My condolences for your loss my contact number is 808-226-7435. Again I´m sorry.
Jim and Becky Alexander
December 21, 2022
To Jean, Sandy and your families - we pray that all those great memories of Bill continue to replace the grief you feel now. He was a great guy with a heart bigger than he was - big.. We shared some great times in the 70s and at the Poplar Tent Community. We will always remember Billy with a smile. Love Jim and Becky
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Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland296 Ash Street, Newland, NC 28657
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