Hillard Watson

William Hillard Watson April 6, 1930 - October 26, 2017 This was Dad's favorite verse: But those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 Hillard Watson, 87 years old, was called to Heaven on Thursday, October 26, 2017. He went peacefully in his sleep. Hillard had fought many health struggles throughout the last several years. He was born on April 6, 1930 to Ed and Nola Brantley Watson, in Mayhill NM, raised in Hagerman, NM with his 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Hillard joined The Boy Scouts of America and worked his way to being an Eagle Scout, as an adult he stayed active in leading young men in scouting. He was very proud to be an Eagle Scout. In April 1951 Hillard married the love of his life, Evelyn Joyce Taylor, he was a devoted husband for 57 years. Joyce "Nanny" preceded him in death on March 30, 2008. Their journey of life together from Hagerman, Carlsbad and on to Texas, they shared life in raising their three children, daughter Ruth Ann, son Eddie Mike and youngest daughter Genevia Diane Watson. He loved growing up on the farm, farming was a big part of his life and being a part of FFA (Future Farmers of America) he won the Grand Champion calf one year at the State Fair, alongside his brother Willard. Over the years he always had a garden of some sort, whether it was a half acre outside of Carlsbad, or his flowerbeds in Austin or his small window box planter at the Chateau Retirement Center. Can't take the boy out of the farm. Hillard served in the US Army receiving his honorable Discharge in the early 1950's. His love for our Country was very strong as he flew "Ole Glory” with honor and respect. Independence Day was one of his favorite holidays, he would raise money for Carlsbad's big fireworks celebration, and cooked hamburgers, lots of hamburgers, with his grill on Howard Street. He would say the prayer and the pledge every day that he was able while living at The Chateau Retirement Home. After returning home to New Mexico, Hillard started working for Southern Union Gas Company, natural gas industry, as a field worker, later was promoted to the main offices in Carlsbad, NM. He loved his job and the customers he served throughout southern New Mex. With his unwavering work ethics and dedication, he was promoted multiple times over the 45 years, serving the company he loved. We cannot remember a day he missed work. His work ethics and morals were something Hillard valued and passed on to his children and grandchildren. Not many nights would pass without a phone call to his children and grandchildren asking if they "sold anything today" or "how's your job today?" Throughout Hillard's life, he served in many different ministries. He passed out Bibles for The Gideon's and he served in various positions in his Churches for approximate 50 years. Including Director of his Sunday School classes at First Baptist, Carlsbad, NM; Plymouth Park, Irving, TX; Deacon, Crestview Church, Austin, TX; and First Baptist, Euless, TX. His love for the Lord, our God was shown throughout his life. No matter where he was, Hillard would ask the question "Do you know my Friend Jesus?” That legacy is still alive and spreading through his family and everyone he touched over the 87 years of his life. Hillard was a lover of sports, Friday night were for Football, he found joy and passion in serving as President of Carlsbad Caveman Booster Club, again cooking hamburgers on his grill for players. He always would say as he drove to out of town games "last one out of town, turn out the lights." We shouldn't mention his passion sometime was a little aggressive, as he was known to chase referees off the field. When they moved to Dallas from Carlsbad, he and Mom bought Dallas Cowboy Season Tickets during the Tom Laundry and Roger Stauback era. They would bundle up, haul coffee and a small heater, and never missed a home game. Hillard also served in many organizations while his children were going up, Girls Softball League, Camp Fire, Shorthorn Boys little league, hauling cheerleaders. He loved hunting, in which he cooked for the gang. Hillard loved to feed others, his Chili was at times to hot to eat, and his stew was at times to spicy with garlic to eat. But he loved for everyone to have plenty. Hillard had a giving heart, while living at The Chateau Retirement Center, a bus load went to the Cheesecake Factory, he had taken well over $200.00, plenty of money. Couple of days later he needed more money, come to find out, he had purchased the entire bus load with cheesecake to take back home. When I asked why he bought everyone Cheesecake? "Some of the ladies had never had Cheesecake...." Hillard's Pride and Joy was his family, in which he prayed for faithfully, he cherished their visits, calls and holidays together: Ruthie Poole and husband Kim; Eddie Watson and wife Debbie; Diane Watson; Eight Grandchildren: Chad and Julie Lunsford, Ashley Lunsford, Kortney Watson, Weslynn and Lorena Watson, Sheri and Tim Watson, Amy Cole, Amanda and James Bailey, Ashley and Chris Jones, and 23 Great-Grandchildren; brother and sister- in-law, Ray and Betty Jane Taylor, Judy Reynolds, Lance Burns and several nieces and nephews. He was a blessed man. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Hillard's ministries, his daughter and great granddaughter are involved with Engage Hope, sponsoring children in Uganda. Hillard has sponsored 3 boys for the last couple of years. Sending $35.00 to each boy for their schooling in Kampala, Uganda. He prayed daily over "his boys" (as he called them) and cherished the letters of gratitude from the boys. As of recent, with the cost of Skilled Nursing Home, he was concerned how to continue supporting "his boys" for their school cost. Please consider donating to these boys (Muhooz CM314, Minemo CM341 and Jovan CM316) in his name. https://www.engagehope.org/donate TODAY, Dad/ Papa met his friend "Jesus" and is home with the Lord and Mom!

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William Hillard Watson April 6, 1930 - October 26, 2017 This was Dad's favorite verse: But those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 Hillard Watson, 87 years old, was called to Heaven on Thursday, October 26, 2017. He went peacefully in his sleep. Hillard had fought many health struggles throughout the last several years. He was born on April 6, 1930 to Ed and Nola Brantley Watson, in Mayhill NM, raised in Hagerman, NM with his 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Hillard joined The Boy Scouts of America and worked his way to being an Eagle Scout, as an adult he stayed active in leading young men in scouting. He was very proud to be an Eagle Scout. In April 1951 Hillard married the love of his life, Evelyn Joyce Taylor, he was a devoted husband for 57 years. Joyce "Nanny" preceded him in death on March 30, 2008. Their journey of life together from Hagerman, Carlsbad and on to Texas, they shared life in raising their three children, daughter Ruth Ann, son Eddie Mike and youngest daughter Genevia Diane Watson. He loved growing up on the farm, farming was a big part of his life and being a part of FFA (Future Farmers of America) he won the Grand Champion calf one year at the State Fair, alongside his brother Willard. Over the years he always had a garden of some sort, whether it was a half acre outside of Carlsbad, or his flowerbeds in Austin or his small window box planter at the Chateau Retirement Center. Can't take the boy out of the farm. Hillard served in the US Army receiving his honorable Discharge in the early 1950's. His love for our Country was very strong as he flew "Ole Glory” with honor and respect. Independence Day was one of his favorite holidays, he would raise money for Carlsbad's big fireworks celebration, and cooked hamburgers, lots of hamburgers, with his grill on Howard Street. He would say the prayer and the pledge every day that he was able while living at The Chateau Retirement Home. After returning home to New Mexico, Hillard started working for Southern Union Gas Company, natural gas industry, as a field worker, later was promoted to the main offices in Carlsbad, NM. He loved his job and the customers he served throughout southern New Mex. With his unwavering work ethics and dedication, he was promoted multiple times over the 45 years, serving the company he loved. We cannot remember a day he missed work. His work ethics and morals were something Hillard valued and passed on to his children and grandchildren. Not many nights would pass without a phone call to his children and grandchildren asking if they "sold anything today" or "how's your job today?" Throughout Hillard's life, he served in many different ministries. He passed out Bibles for The Gideon's and he served in various positions in his Churches for approximate 50 years. Including Director of his Sunday School classes at First Baptist, Carlsbad, NM; Plymouth Park, Irving, TX; Deacon, Crestview Church, Austin, TX; and First Baptist, Euless, TX. His love for the Lord, our God was shown throughout his life. No matter where he was, Hillard would ask the question "Do you know my Friend Jesus?” That legacy is still alive and spreading through his family and everyone he touched over the 87 years of his life. Hillard was a lover of sports, Friday night were for Football, he found joy and passion in serving as President of Carlsbad Caveman Booster Club, again cooking hamburgers on his grill for players. He always would say as he drove to out of town games "last one out of town, turn out the lights." We shouldn't mention his passion sometime was a little aggressive, as he was known to chase referees off the field. When they moved to Dallas from Carlsbad, he and Mom bought Dallas Cowboy Season Tickets during the Tom Laundry and Roger Stauback era. They would bundle up, haul coffee and a small heater, and never missed a home game. Hillard also served in many organizations while his children were going up, Girls Softball League, Camp Fire, Shorthorn Boys little league, hauling cheerleaders. He loved hunting, in which he cooked for the gang. Hillard loved to feed others, his Chili was at times to hot to eat, and his stew was at times to spicy with garlic to eat. But he loved for everyone to have plenty. Hillard had a giving heart, while living at The Chateau Retirement Center, a bus load went to the Cheesecake Factory, he had taken well over $200.00, plenty of money. Couple of days later he needed more money, come to find out, he had purchased the entire bus load with cheesecake to take back home. When I asked why he bought everyone Cheesecake? "Some of the ladies had never had Cheesecake...." Hillard's Pride and Joy was his family, in which he prayed for faithfully, he cherished their visits, calls and holidays together: Ruthie Poole and husband Kim; Eddie Watson and wife Debbie; Diane Watson; Eight Grandchildren: Chad and Julie Lunsford, Ashley Lunsford, Kortney Watson, Weslynn and Lorena Watson, Sheri and Tim Watson, Amy Cole, Amanda and James Bailey, Ashley and Chris Jones, and 23 Great-Grandchildren; brother and sister- in-law, Ray and Betty Jane Taylor, Judy Reynolds, Lance Burns and several nieces and nephews. He was a blessed man. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Hillard's ministries, his daughter and great granddaughter are involved with Engage Hope, sponsoring children in Uganda. Hillard has sponsored 3 boys for the last couple of years. Sending $35.00 to each boy for their schooling in Kampala, Uganda. He prayed daily over "his boys" (as he called them) and cherished the letters of gratitude from the boys. As of recent, with the cost of Skilled Nursing Home, he was concerned how to continue supporting "his boys" for their school cost. Please consider donating to these boys (Muhooz CM314, Minemo CM341 and Jovan CM316) in his name. https://www.engagehope.org/donate TODAY, Dad/ Papa met his friend "Jesus" and is home with the Lord and Mom!