Bobby Gerald Watson

Bobby Gerald Watson, 86, of Crown City, Ohio passed away on October 24, 2022 at home with his wife and children at his side.  Born June 12, 1936 in Gallia County, Ohio, Bobby was the son of the late Hartly Watson and Mariam Danner Watson Pursley.  He was a member of Mercerville Baptist Church.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Carolyn K. Rickard Watson; children, Tim (Sandy) Watson of Crown City, Ohio, Kimberly (Michael) Dennison of Crown City, Ohio, and Michelle (John) Meeks of Inverness, Florida; stepchildren, John (Sandra) Salla of Mason, West Virginia, D’Lynn (James) Keesee of Middleport, Ohio, Ryan (Ashley) Rickard of Letart, West Virginia, and Carl (Ashley) Rickard of Gibbstown, West Virginia; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; one step great grandchild; and one brother, James H. Watson of Gallipolis, Ohio.

In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his first wife, Audrey Mooney Watson; sister, Dorothy Rodgers and brother-in-law, Richard Rodgers; and sister-in-law, Barbara Watson.

Bobby held many jobs throughout his 86 years, dry cleaner delivery, filling station owner, farmer, and retired in 1992 from GDC in Gallipolis.  After his retirement from GDC, Bobby went back to work for Robbie’s BP and Smokin’ Rob’s in Gallipolis; he retired from these two jobs in 2007 to pursue his favorite hobbies of hunting, gardening, and tending to a beautiful lawn.  Bobby was a 58 year member of the Masonic Lodge #536 of Crown City, Ohio, which he dearly loved and of which he was proud to be a member.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Hospice of Huntington and Tri-State Life Care for their exceptional care, love, and respect, making it possible to keep Bobby in his home with his family.  They exceeded all expectations of nursing, home aid, and emotional and clerical support.

A Masonic Rite Service for Bobby will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022 at Willis Funeral Home with Bob Fellure presiding.  Burial will follow in Ohio Valley Memory Gardens, where Bobby will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Audrey, the love of his life.  Pastor John Meeks will be officiating the graveside.  Friends and family may call prior to the Masonic Service Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons of Bobby, Ryan Watson, Kyle Watson, Shaun Meeks, Eric Serger, John Hager, and Matthew Keesee.