Louis “Bob” Watson 1922 - 2002

WATSON, SKINNER, BENSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/2/2018 at 12:12:30

Sioux City Journal

Onawa, Iowa – Louis “Bob” Watson, 79, of Onawa died Saturday, January 26, 2002, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, with the Rev. Karen Handke officiating. Burial will be in Oto Township Cemetery in Oto, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. with family present 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Watson was born February 19, 1922, in Smithland, Iowa the son of Allen and Minnie (Skinner) Watson. He graduated from Smithland High School. He married Betty Benson on December 1, 1942 in Dakota City, Nebraska. They were longtime residents of Oto and had lived in Onawa for the past few years.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from December 10, 1942 to October 12, 1945. He fought in the European African Middle Eastern Theater and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He received both a Silver and Bronze Battle Star.

On October 22, 2001, at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, he was presented the “Special Diploma” from the French government for his contribution to liberate France from the Axis Powers in World War II.

He worked construction and was foreman of the 4th District of Woodbury County Road maintenance for 21 years before his retirement in 1984.

He was a member of American Legion Leslie F. Seaton Post 0666 of Smithland and Veterans of Foreign Wars 09124 of Oto. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and gardening.

Survivors include his wife; a son and his wife, Conrad Allen and Lynda Watson of Jacksonville, Florida, two grandchildren, Annessa of Jacksonville and Derek of Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jay and Hobert.