William E Watson Sr.

William Estes Watson, Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 26, 2018. He was born July 18, 1924 in Estes Park, CO to Emily (Heim) and George Harriman Watson. He grew up in Estes Park attending the Estes Park schools and worked as a boy in the family Ice, Coal, and Wood business. Bill married the love of his life, Vivianne Maureen Bowsher on February 6, 1944. He started Watson Truck Line in 1952 and sold it in 1970 to his son, Jim. He started Estes Park Excavation in 1967 and He built Mary’s Lake Campground in 1968. He and Vivianne ran the Campground together until around 1980, when he retired so they could become snowbirds, spending the summers in Estes Park, where he could be seen around town delivering freight for many years for his son, Jim, and then spending the winters in Bullhead City AZ. During that time, they also built and ran Alpine Self Storage on Dunraven in Estes. He and Vivianne also had a townhouse on the Beach in Puerto Penasco , Sonora, MX where they spent a few months of the year and had many great Christmases over the years with their family and friends. Bill was a Volunteer firefighter for 30 years, a past member of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Lions club, and Charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Estes Park. He was an avid sports fan from High School to Pro. He loved to travel and he and VIvianne belonged to Ports of Call. Bill is survived by his wife of 74 years, Vivianne, his sister Betty Vetter of Whippany NJ, his children: Bonnie Watson of Estes Park, William, Jr (Donna) of Buena Vista CO, Jim (Debbie) of Estes Park, and Elah (Steve) Bethel of Loveland CO. He was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sister in laws: George and Margaret and Jim and Rae, and his brother in law Robert Vetter. A graveside service was held at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens. Since Bill was a native of Estes Park and He and Vivianne have always been great animal lovers, having had horses, dogs and cats over the years, in lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to please make a donation in his name to the Estes Park Pet Association or Estes Park Museum in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517.