Billy Wayne Watson

Abingdon, VA – Billy Wayne Watson, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Hospital in Johnson City, TN. He was born to the late Spencer Washington Watson and Evelyn Charmie Cross Watson on October 6, 1941 in Bristol, VA. He was a decorated veteran of the United States Army having served in the Vietnam War. Billy was a member of the Washington County American Legion Post No. 12. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, cooking, and vegetable gardening. In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred David Watson and Wilbert Guy Watson. He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Sonja Faye Hanson Watson; two daughters, Connie Ihle and husband Richard of Bristol, VA and Jennifer Fulton and husband Paul of Abingdon, VA; sister-in-law, Jackie Watson of Hampton, VA; six grandchildren, Alex Mays, Ashley Watson, Matthew Mays, Christina Casey, Joshua Casey, Charles “Boo Boo” Casey; several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 2nd at the funeral home with Pastor Kyle Chessor officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens where Richard Ihle, Alex Mays, Matthew Mays, Gregory Rouse, Curtis Watson, and David Watson will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Washington County American Legion Post No. 12 will serve as honorary pallbearers. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff of the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Hospital especially Dr. P.J. O’Neil and Dr. Murphy. Flowers will be accepted. Those who wish to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Billy Wayne Watson is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.