Reiley Aikman Watson

He was born on January 27, 1942, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Margreta and Charles Watson.

Reiley attended Shawnee High School in Oklahoma. He then joined the US Army in 1969 where he served over 30 years for his country and retired as a Master Sargent (MSG) in 1981. He spent his military service stationed in Indochina, Korea, Germany, and stateside posts to include Fort Hood. He actively served in the Vietnam War for one very long year and received medals of honor and recognition over his military career.

He married the love of his life, Stella Mozell Ledbetter, on May 4, 1962, in Lawton, Oklahoma and together they had two children.

After his retirement from the military, he was a mechanic of boats and other marine engines. He went on to own and operate Reiley’s Outboard Service in Copperas Cove, Texas for over 26 years.

Reiley A. was a Chippewa Indian and proud member of the NRA, Copperas Cove Bass Club, Killeen PD Citizens Police Academy and volunteered yearly to process sausage for those in need at Trinity Lutheran Church. He had a passion for ONLY fishing “the BIG ones” and hunting anything he could get a license for given he would literally eat anything! Reiley A. was an avid reader of westerns and murder mysteries, enjoyed woodworking in his woodshop, farming his land with cows, hay, and gardens all while he stayed active by doing daily sit-ups, push-ups and walking to keep his young physique. He truly loved spending time with his family, and friends he called family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Margreta S. Leeds and Charles D. Watson, brother Richard Watson and sister Donna Parrot.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 64 years, Stella Mozell Watson of Killeen, TX; son Reiley Bruce (Cheryl) Watson of Junction City, KS; daughter, Veronica Lynn (Charles) Washington of Pearl River, LA; sister, Gretta Louis Baxter “Lucy” of Pheonix, AZ; nephew Chester (Dawn) Baxter of Florence, TX; seven grandchildren; Reiley Eugene (Mandy) Watson of Flint, TX; Heather Watson and Amber Royse of Junction City, KS; Everrett, Christian, and Shayana Washington of Pearl River, LA; Kyra (Lee) Lackey of Kyle, TX; six great grandchildren, Reiley Maddox and Rylan Paul Watson of Flint, TX, Dominic Reiley Zamorano, Bradley Robert Royse, Emily Lynn Royse, Amelia Josephine King of Junction City, KS; extended family and numerous friends.

Military Services will be held at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen June 16, 2026, at 9:00AM with full honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation in Reiley A’s name to Killeen Public Library to encourage reading at all ages or plant a tree to support life in nature that he loved so much. The family would also like to thank Baylor Scott & White of Temple for the care provided and family and friends for prayers and comfort given during this time.