Billy Watson

Billy L. Watson, 91, of Gunter, Texas, passed away on September 11, 2024, in Abilene, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 12th at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas with Rick Hankins of Clovis, NM officiating. A graveside service will be held in Gunter, Texas on September 15, 2024. His earthly body will be laid to rest next to his wife, his parents, and his brother. Additionally, there will be a memorial service held at Mountainside Church of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 10:30 a.m., (MST), Saturday, December 21, 2024 with Alan Taylor officiating. 

Bill Watson was born in Gunter, Texas to Orville and Irene Watson on August 10, 1933. He grew up in Gunter and graduated from Gunter High School where he served as senior class president, played on the basketball team, and was a yell leader. After graduating from high school, he attended North Texas State College (UNT) receiving a BA in Journalism and later a master's in education. He met Rosabel Jenkins at church while attending North Texas State College. On June 27, 1953, they married in Ft. Worth, Texas. Bill loved his Rose very deeply, and they were married for 55 years before her passing in 2008.

Bill proudly served his country as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy on board the USS Bulwark, a minesweeper in the Atlantic Ocean. He served our country starting in 1957 and served for a total of 16 years of active and reserve service. Before and after his military service, Bill taught elementary school in Texas and California and later earned his Doctor of Education from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1969.

Bill worked as a professor, beginning his academic career at Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee from 1969-1972, then at the University of New Mexico (UNM) from 1972-1993. During his time at UNM, he served as a faculty member, Chair of the Special Education Department, conducted important research, and proudly chaired numerous doctoral dissertations. One such doctoral student called Bill a wonderful man, friend, father, and colleague and described him as brilliant, warm, and patient.

If you spent any time with Bill, you knew his spirit and character are difficult to capture in few words but some stand out. He was faithful and humble; adventurous and curious; and thoughtful and wise.

Bill was a strong man of faith. He served as an elder for over 28 years at the Pennsylvania St. Church of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which later became Mountainside Church of Christ. He took many mission trips to Mexico and Haiti, did prison ministry, and served on the International Mission Team at his Church in Abilene, Texas after moving there in 2006. Until the very end of his life, Bill wanted to participate in mission trips though he was not physically able. He was resolute in his convictions to be Christ-like to those around him.

Recently describing his approach to experiencing new things in life, Bill said it takes "curiosity, nerve, and a willingness to try." He exemplified this sentiment throughout his life, and despite his early onset macular degeneration, Bill never lost his sense of adventure. He had a love for travel, eating new foods, and trying new activities. Bill was close to obtaining a pilot's license and flew solo on a few occasions. Along with a sense of adventure, Bill gave people a good laugh with his witty sense of humor. He lived a full life and prioritized joy for himself and others.

Bill was also a deep thinker, so you knew when he had something to say, it was worth listening to. His wisdom was kind, compassionate, and reflected God's love. Bill had a love of learning and was very interested in brain development and traumatic brain injury. He participated in a semester long sabbatical at the University of New Mexico Hospital and did brain seminars at Harvard and the Boston VA. Although his intellect led to many wonderful accolades, he more often saw himself as simply Billy Watson. His heart and service to others invariably defined him more than his titles.

Bill was preceded in death by Edward Watson, his brother who died when he was 14 from leukemia; His Mom and Dad; Tony Watson, his dear son; and Rosabel Watson, his loving wife.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kim Rowlands, and her husband, Steve, from Abilene, Texas and grandsons, Nate, from Melbourne, Florida, and Will, from Abilene, Texas and his daughter-in-law, Margaret Metcalf-Watson, and granddaughters, Shawn and Kelly Watson, from Albuquerque, New Mexico and many extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Bill's desire was for money to be donated to mission work. He requested that donations be made to either:

Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene Texas.

sohillschurch.org/give

Enter dollar amount.

Choose "Give One Time".

Choose "Missions" as your fund.

Enter "in memory of Bill Watson" on the memo line.

Or

Mountainside Church of Christ in Albuquerque New Mexico

https://get.tithe.ly/online-giving-for-churches

In closing, the family, and papa (Bill) would like to thank all his caregivers that helped us take care of him over the years. They definitely made his journey easier. They were such a blessing in his life and in our lives!