William Watson

Sonny was born on January 29, 1929 in Harlem, NY. He was the one of three children – his sister and brother preceded him in death. Sonny graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx and went on to become a Certified Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of New York becoming the Head Supervisor of the Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Center at South Beach in Staten Island, NY. He worked there for over 25 years until his retirement in the late 1990’s. Sonny touched many lives and helped many people recover from various addictions. Sonny married his love, Deborah, on November 29, 1998 and they became avid travelers. Travelling by boat, plane and car to destinations around the world. Sonny loved jazz music and was a fervent trumpet player. He played in various bands and he even played with his band at his own wedding! His last band was Coco Suave. Sonny could be heard practicing his trumpet almost every day until he was well into his 80’s.

Sonny leaves to mourn in profound sorrow his beloved wife Deborah, daughter Barbara Ann, son William “Billy”, Jr., stepson Jermaine Thompson, stepdaughter Shanise Figueroa (son-in-law Marcus), grandsons, Richard, Raymond and Prince, granddaughters Anastasia, Alianna and Avani and great-grandson Michael, brothers in-law Lester Squires and O’Byrne Waithe, and sisters in-law Diane Squires, Janine Squires and Christine (Tina) Alexander and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who will miss him dearly.