William Watson Sr.

SIKESTON - William Watson Sr., 87, died Nov. 30, 2003, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born April 24, 1916, at Fries Point, Miss., son of the late David and Matilda Watson, he retired from the International Shoe Company and was employed by the Ferguson Medical Clinic for several years before completing his retirement. He was a member of Greer's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where he served on the deacon board for many years before becoming an ordained minister. He later became pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, both in Henson.

On Aug. 8, 1936, at Proctor, Ark., he married Millie Holmes, who died in May 2000.

Survivors include: three sons, Cleve Watson of Colorado Springs, Colo., William Watson Jr. of North Pole, Alaska, and Floyd Watson of Santa Ana, Calif.; one daughter, Pearl Williams of Redlands, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great- and great-great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one son, Curtis Watson, in April 1980.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time at noon at Greer's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Melvin Williams will officiate.

Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.