James B. Watson

James B. Watson, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on April 5, 2025, in Lincolnshire, IL. He was born December 3, 1928 in Evanston, IL. From 1950 to 1957, Jim served in the US Air Force, piloting aircraft including C-119s and C-47s. Upon honorable discharge from the military, he joined Delta Air Lines as a pilot, where he worked for 31 years. He retired in 1988 as a Captain having flown multiple aircraft, and routes both domestic and international.

Jim met his beloved wife Jean (nee Regina Dornseif) who was a flight attendant at Delta. They married in 1960, and remained happily so until her passing in 2013. He is survived by his three daughters, Christie (Bert) Cabala, Becky (Arnie) Ralenkotter, and Cindy (Chris) Rossiter; nine grandchildren, Samantha, Alex, Sarah, Mollie, Emily, Katie, Haley, Abby and Brett, and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family has chosen to celebrate his life privately.