Lee Roy Watson

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Lee Roy Watson, 86, of Villa Ridge passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis, Ill.

He was born Nov. 7, 1924, at Villa Ridge, the seventh child of Ralph and Mary Hayden Watson Sr.

Lee Roy was a member of Villa Ridge Union Church, American Legion Post 178 at Villa Ridge more than 50 years, and former member of Union Local 773. He retired as a truck driver with the Pulaski County Highway Department in Villa Ridge.

He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Lee Roy was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Gordon Conant, in November 2009.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Richards Watson of Villa Ridge; a daughter, Janice Conant of Villa Ridge; a son, Bruce (Robin) Watson of Paducah, Ky.; a brother, John Watson of Villa Ridge; two sisters, Lora McClain of Marion, Ill., and Beulah Howard of Kalamazoo, Mich.

Also six grandchildren, Kimberly Conant, Erik, Chad and Travis Watson, Rebecca Pullum, Cindy Watson; three great-grandchildren, Cameron Watson, Baylee Smothers, and Braxton Watson; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with American Legion chaplain, Buddy Walls, officiating. Full military honors will follow by members of Illinois National Guard Honor Details and area veterans. Interment will be in Cache Chapel Cemetery near Ullin, Ill.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to American Legion Post 178 c/o Franklin Mason, 635 Mason Road, Olmsted, IL 62970, or to Center United Methodist Church c/o George A. Britt, 2400 Old Feather Trail Road, Olmsted, in memory of Lee Roy Watson.