William Johnson Bill Watson

September 30, 1935 - September 30, 2012 Mr. William Johnson Bill Watson of Raleigh, passed away peacefully on his 77th birthday, September 30, 2012, with family by his side, at Mayview Convalescent Center. Bill was born September 30, 1935, to the late Alonzo T. Watson and Mary Jones Watson, in Fayetteville, NC. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1959 with a degree in Civil Engineering, and enjoyed a lengthy career with the NC Department of Transportation. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Elaine Entrekin Watson, as well as brothers Charles Watson and Frank Watson, and sisters Betsy Watson Brennan and Marion Watson Acker. He is survived by two daughters, Mara H. Watson and Betsy L. Watson, of Raleigh; brother A.T. Bud Watson and wife Sue of Fayetteville; and numerous very special nieces and nephews. Bill was a lover of modernist architecture, and was very proud of the house he and his late wife built in North Raleigh. Bill also enjoyed reading and book collecting, tennis, cycling, golf, photography, astronomy, aviation, jazz music, and even learned to play the saxophone in retirement. Above all, he was a devoted husband and father. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at 2:00 pm, at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh NC, 27604. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.