John Watson

April 11, 1925 - February 16, 2015

Mr. John Wallace Watson, Jr. age 89, a resident of Columbia, passed away Monday evening, February 16, 2015 at NHC/Hillview. A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 12noon in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Pastors Kenny Anderson, Sr. and Anthony E. Paschall officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Cemetery. The body will lie in state on Friday from 12noon until 6pm. The family will also visit with friends from 11am until the 12noon service on Saturday. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. John was born on April 11, 1925 and was the son of the late Josephine Reese and John Wallace Watson, Sr. He attended Williamson County School System. John entered the United States Army in 1943 and landed on Normandy Beach during D-Day during the invasion of France, was attached to the Red Ball Express Unit, and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. He worked as a furnace operator at Chemical Company. John was a very devoted member of Mt.Vernon Missionary Baptist Church for over 60 years. Some of his hobbies included farming and fishing. He also enjoyed talking with all his friends and co-workers. He will be missed by all who knew him. John is survived by his son Willie Watson of MS; daughters: Patricia Watson Baxter of CA, Nellie Watson of Columbia, TN, and Roberta Mitchell of Spring Hill, TN; Fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his wife Betty Brown Watson; parents: John Wallace Watson, Sr. and Josephine Reese Watson; sons: Gary Lee Watson and James Watson; sister: Katie Lee Boyd, Emma Louise Watson, and Frances Watson; brothers: Andrew Watson, James Watson, and Willie B. Watson. Pallbearers will be Chris Norwood, Vernon Ward, Lanny Anderson, Phil Norwood, Norman Dawson, Thomas McCallum, Tony Martin, Leslie Oliver and Sammy Crutcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Anderson, Ralph Seacrest, Floyd LeShea, Tony LeShea, and the members of the American Legion Post 120.