Don Roswell Watson

Don Roswell Watson, age 93, died Tuesday, May 8, at Blount Memorial Hospital. Don was born on May 13, 1918 in Wheat, Tennessee to Hattie and George Watson and was the youngest of 10 children. He graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College prior to volunteering for the service. He served three years in Europe during World War II where he was a member of the amphibious engineers, a unit responsible for ferrying troops and supplies to support the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Don was extremely proud of his military service and support of his country during World War II. He was equally proud of the Wheat community where he grew up and the heritage and sacrifice of this community. During the war the entire Wheat community sacrificed their homes and farms for the development of the Manhattan Project. This top secret project led to the development of the atomic bomb and is credited with saving the lives of many American soldiers. In 1953 Don moved to Maryville and opened a Western Auto store. His keen sense of business and love of people made this business venture a classic success story. Don also enjoyed fishing and reminiscing with friends and business customers. Don is preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Parkin, his parents, eight brothers and one sister. Survivors include his wife, Dot; daughter, Marcia and son-in-law Turner; son, David and daughter-in-law Janie; son Don and daughter-in-law, Cathy; son, Jim and daughter-in-law Regina; stepdaughter, Sheila. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brian and Derrick Watson, Caylor and Leslie Watson, Becca Gizzarelli (Jason) and great grandchildren, Jonah Watson, Savannah Watson and Noah Gizzarelli. The family will receive friends Saturday, May 12, 2012, from 9-11:00 a.m. at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville, TN. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Crawford Memorial Cemetery located in the former Wheat community with Pastors Gerald McFarland and Amy R. Probst officiating. Honorary Pall Bearers will be the Iva Moore Sunday School Class at Broadway United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 East Broadway, Maryville, TN 37804 or to Holston United Methodist Home for children at P. O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com