Harold E. “Buddy” Watson, 88

Harold E. “Buddy” Watson, age 88, of Gallipolis, Ohio, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 11, 2014. He was born November 19, 1925 to the late Golden and Gertie Clary Watson of Gallipolis, Ohio.

Harold was a veteran in WWII as Private First Class in Company C 46th Armored Infantry Battalion. Sent to Europe, he landed in LeHarve, France. He went on to be in the 5th Armored Division then into the 9th Army. Harold served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Harold was employed at Gallipolis Developmental Center as a supervisor and retired after 35 years of service. He also worked his family farm raising cattle, tobacco and hay. He also enjoyed gardening and caring for the yard. Harold loved to travel. Harold was a loving husband, father and grandfather to his family. He was a member of Okey Chapel Church.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Golden and Gertie Watson, his sister Clarabelle Haner Thomas and two nephews Paul Haner and Raymond Lee Haner.

Harold is survived by his wife, Pauline Shafer Watson, whom he married December 2, 1944; two daughters, Donna Gaye Watson Massie of Gallipolis (at home) and Dorothy Louise Watson Evans Hunt of Logan, Ohio; 5 grandchildren, Phillip Massie (Celeste Harrington), of Gallipolis, David Massie (Diana Harless) of Blacklick, Ohio, Elizabeth Ann Massie of Patriot, Eric (Lisa) Evans of Smyrna, Tennessee, Karen Evans (Nicholas Meade) of Logan, Ohio; step grandson, Matthew

(Ashley) Hunt of Lancaster, Ohio; 13 great grandchildren, Dylan and Hayden Massie of Delaware, Ohio, Jack Massie of Columbus, Ohio, Jillian Massie of Gallipolis, Jonathan and Justin Hodge of Mt. Alto, WV, Jayna and Jeffery Garnes of Patriot, Kristin and Justin Evans of Smyrna, Tennessee and Micaela Kaitlyn and Christopher Meade of Logan; 3 great great grandchildren, Owen Massie and Ayvah Hurlow of Gallipolis and Zayden Hodge of Mt. Alto, WV; a sister, Frieda I. Ervin of Ft. Myers, Florida; a brother, Myron Dale (Maralene) Watson of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; six nephews, two nieces and many cousins.

Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Alfred Holley officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery with military graveside services by volunteer veterans. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, april 14, 2014 from 6-8 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Phillip and David Massie, Eric Evans, Nicholas Meade, Matthew Hunt and Justin Hodge.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Harold’s memory to Ridgelawn Cemetery, c/o Lona Mae Houck, 2286 State Rt. 218, Gallipolis, OH 45631.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.