Valton Junior Watson

Valton J. ?Junior? Watson died January 18, 2006. He was born August 1, 1920 in Groveton, Texas, the first child of Ione Hayes Watson and William Valton Watson. His childhood years were spent in Groveton and Little Beaumont, in the Spring Hill area of Longview. He attended Spring Hill and Pine Tree schools and was a member of the first football team that Pine Tree fielded. After high school, he worked at the Big Grocery in Greggton. Then in 1941 he went to work for Arkansas Fuel Oil, which later became Cities Service Fuel Oil. He retired from Cities Service Fuel Oil Company after working for them 40 years as a gauger and meter prover. While working at the Big Grocery, one of his co-workers, Bud Pinson introduced him to his sister. Sibyl Pinson was to become his wife on May 10, 1941. He and Sibyl spent 50 years together enjoying family, fishing, camping, traveling in their motor home, and playing cards and 42. Sibyl succumbed to cancer in June of 1991, just one month after their 50th anniversary. After Sibyl?s death, V.J. became the unofficial chauffeur and errand runner for the ?Fun Bunch?, a group of widows and widowers, at the Alpine Church of Christ, of which he was a member. This bunch spent many happy hours going places and playing Skip-Bo, which the Fun Bunch accused V.J. of playing ?scientifically?. Junior was honorably discharged from the Navy, having served as a Store Keeper, First Class at the Marine base in Oceanside, California. V.J. is survived by his two children: daughter, Patsy Green and her husband Coy of Longview; and son, Gary Watson and his wife Delores of White Oak. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters: Leon and Bettye Watson of Cupertino, California; Tom and Gene Watson of New Braunfels, Texas; Dorothy Watson Hawes of Longview; Hazel and John Reid of La Place, Louisiana. Also surviving him are two brothers-in-law and their wives: Melvis and Doris Pinson of Hurst, Texas and Dr. Gerald and Velma Pinson of Longview; one sister-in-law, Inez Pinson of Bryan, Texas. He is survived by two grandchildren; Curt Watson of Lake of the Pines, and Angela and Chuck Evans of White Oak; and his pride and joy, his 6 great grandchildren: Eric, Arron, Josh, and Haley Watson and Faith and Carter Evans. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews and many, many friends. The family would like to express their appreciation to his care giver for the last two years, Hazel Green, who saw to it that he was still able to get out and enjoy his friends. Special thanks to Dr. Saiken for his care over the last 20+ years. And a huge thank you to the charge nurses, the RN?s, LVN?s and nurses aides on the second floor, medical wing of Longview Regional Hospital, who made V.J.?s last 5 days on this earth as comfortable for him as was possible. Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday, January 21st at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel, 1617 Judson Rd. with Rodney Cox and Chuck Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening 6 to 8 PM. A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com

Valton Junior Watson

August 1, 1920 - January 18, 2006