George Watson

George William ""Bill"" Watson, 50, of Wappapello, Mo., passed away Friday, April 26, 2013 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Watson was born Aug. 28, 1962 in Independence, Mo. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Puxico, and worked as a heavy equipment operator ""which he referred to as his big Tonka Toys"" for Robertson Construction Company. Mr. Watson loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed motorcycles and taking long rides, occasionally with his dog Sassy, and was also a member of the Wappapello Eagle Riders. When he wasn't working he was barbequing, visiting with neighbors or doing yard work. He enjoyed boat rides on the lake with his wife, Alice and Sassy as his deckhands. His wife Alice stated that he was going to be missed by all that knew him and loved him dearly. Not only did she lose a husband, but best friend and companion. His children have lost a father.... friends have lost a Comrade... family has lost a brother... and his parents have lost a son ... he was a big bear... intimidating at first but tender at heart. His children would describe him as hard and stern but when they needed a hand they knew they could call upon him. He was the nicest pain in the butt you ever wanted to meet, and will forever hold a place in our hearts. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR DAD AT THE PEARLY GATES OF HEAVEN. LOVE YOU DAD!

On Aug. 27, 1982, he married Alice Hornbeck in Fort Worth, Tex. She survives.

Other survivors include five children: Jason Wayne Watson and friend Chezera Davids and Robert William Watson and wife, Tabitha, all of Pleasant Hill, Mo., Suzanna Margaret Watson and fiance, Jerry Franklin Brown, of Hendrickson, Mo., Rebecca Ann Watson, of Red Bud, Ill, and Heather Marie Watson of Marble Hill, Mo.; 14 grandchildren: Cameron, Alicia, and Waylon Watson, Nicholas, Zachary and Tyler Watson, MeKayla, Jerry and Leo Brown, Morgan, Amber and Aubrey Storie and Dereck and Caleb Profer; his parents, James Cole and Thelma Margaret Riggs Watson of Odessa, Mo.; two sisters: Rebecca High, of Green Valley, Mo. and Connie Koch, of Sandy Hook, Conn.: three brothers: Jim Watson of Azle, Tex., Fred Watson, of Lawson, Mo. and Don Watson, of Holden, Mo.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel at Wappapello, Mo. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Wappapello Chapel with Rev. Gary Burns officiating. Burial will be at Little Brushy Cemetery at Wappapello.