Major (Retired) Royce Weldon Watson

Major (Retired) Royce Weldon Watson passed away, Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Oakview Manor in Ozark. He was 89 years of age. A memorial service will be at 2:00pm Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Westview Heights United Methodist Church with Reverends Phil Craddock and Rusty Burelson officiating. Inurnment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery In Pensacola, Fl., Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 1:15pm. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Westview Heights United Methodist Church, 512 Camilla Ave., Ozark, AL. 36360.

Major (Retired) Watson was born August 13, 1921 in Mansfield, Louisiana to the late Royce and Mayflower Watson. He was a member of Westview Heights United Methodist Church. Major Watson Retired was called to serve his country in 1941. He entered the service from Texas in July 1942 and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant and his Aviator’s wings from the Naval Flight School in early 1943. He was selected to be an Aviator in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater for the duration of the war. He was a carrier based fighter pilot that participated in several major battles. His decorations included the Air medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Battle Stars, The Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and The WWII Victory Medal-Pacific. He remained in the service after WWII and flew Marine Corps Fighter Bombers during The Korean Conflict where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, The United Nations Medal and The National Defense Service Medal. After service in Korea, he continued to serve in various staff and Command positions attaining the rank of Major in The Marine Corps and retiring from active duty on May 31, 1965. During his military career, he flew over 5700 flight hours in 31 different types of aircraft including jets and helicopters. After his military service, he flew more than 1200 accident free flight hours as a helicopter flight instruct at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He loved flying and he was proud to have served his country as a Marine. Semper Fi!

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Royce Watson; sister, Judy Walston of Midland, Tx; brother, Ruben “Babe” Watson of Midland, Tx.

Major (Retired) Watson is survived by his wife, Mary Nell Watson; sister, Dorothy Gray (Ira) of Abilene, Tx.; sister-in-law, Pat Reazin of Hitchcock, Tx.; grandson, Jason Carl Watson of Grottes, Va.; nieces and nephews, Debbie Osborn, Connie Patterson, Neal Gray, Sharon Wilson, Jay Watson, Shelley Lane, Ted Shook (Karen) of Galveston, TX, and Dennis Shook (Janet) of Houston, TX.

Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com. A Dignity Memorial Provider.