1921
Leon
2009
Leon Watson, Jr
June 14, 1921 — November 1, 2009
Leon Watson, Jr., age 88, of Unadilla, died Sunday, November 1, 2009, at Pineview Health Care Center.
Born in Hawkinsville, he was the son of the late Leon Watson and Annie Mae Simmons Watson. He was a US Navy of World War II. Mr. Watson was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. He served aboard the USS Nautilus and was involved in the Battle of Midway. The Nautilus was given a commendation by the President for winning the battle of Midway. The movie "Run Silent and Run Deep" was made about the Nautilus and its mission into Tokyo Harbor. During the mission, the Nautilus sank several Japanese ships before being detected. Mr. Watson married in Hollywood, CA and lived there after the war. While there, he knew several movie stars and television personalities like Bob Barker. He also played a round of golf with Bing Crosby. Mr. Watson also lived in San Carlos, CA and had a business making cabinets and perfected a method for bending formica. He moved to Unadilla in the 1970's to take care of his father and owned White's Auto Store until his retirement in the early 1990's.
Survivors include:
Son: Gene Edward Watson (Lisa) of Costa Rica
Sister: Betty Jean McCleskey of Pinehurst
Grandchildren: Michelle and Courtney
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including the children of the late Mabel Watson Newman.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Watson.
Funeral services will be at 1 PM Wednesday, November 4 in the chapel of Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla. Interment with military honors will follow in Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
The family will greet friends 10 AM - 12 PM Wednesday, November 4.
Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla has charge of arrangements.
Born in Hawkinsville, he was the son of the late Leon Watson and Annie Mae Simmons Watson. He was a US Navy of World War II. Mr. Watson was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. He served aboard the USS Nautilus and was involved in the Battle of Midway. The Nautilus was given a commendation by the President for winning the battle of Midway. The movie "Run Silent and Run Deep" was made about the Nautilus and its mission into Tokyo Harbor. During the mission, the Nautilus sank several Japanese ships before being detected. Mr. Watson married in Hollywood, CA and lived there after the war. While there, he knew several movie stars and television personalities like Bob Barker. He also played a round of golf with Bing Crosby. Mr. Watson also lived in San Carlos, CA and had a business making cabinets and perfected a method for bending formica. He moved to Unadilla in the 1970's to take care of his father and owned White's Auto Store until his retirement in the early 1990's.
Survivors include:
Son: Gene Edward Watson (Lisa) of Costa Rica
Sister: Betty Jean McCleskey of Pinehurst
Grandchildren: Michelle and Courtney
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including the children of the late Mabel Watson Newman.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Watson.
Funeral services will be at 1 PM Wednesday, November 4 in the chapel of Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla. Interment with military honors will follow in Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
The family will greet friends 10 AM - 12 PM Wednesday, November 4.
Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla has charge of arrangements.
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