Edward Arthur Watson passed away on May 6, 2019 at his home in Mesa, Arizona. Ed was born on July 29, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to Arthur and Crystal Watson. Although Ed never married, he lived a full and exciting life.
After graduating high school, Ed held several jobs before joining the Navy and then the Naval Reserves. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College for two years and worked for Illinois Bell (AT&T) until his retirement. After retiring, Ed moved to Scottsdale, Az where he lived for 27 years before moving to Mesa in 2018.
His passions were family, flying, friends, firearms, and the military. He was very devoted to his mother for the remainder of her life. He and his brother Richard not only had family in common, but also military service. Together, they enjoyed spending time on military themed vacations. He was a life-long member of the American Legion. Ed maintained contact with his nephews John and Philip and niece Julia in the Chicago area. He maintained relationships with family in Oregon and made visits for special occasions. Ed spent many hours with his family members in Mesa and Phoenix and especially enjoyed the children, Haylee, Lillee and Emilee Jones.
Ed was an avid pilot and loved to fly! He flew most of his life and over the last few years flew every holiday morning because, he said, “everyone else was celebrating the holiday and he was the only one at the airport”. He was very proud of being able to maintain his pilot’s license.
Ed had lots of acquaintances and friends. Few people can say they have had a close relationship spanning 60+ years, but Ed did. He and Chris Makris had such a friendship and Ed truly treasured it.
Ed enjoyed collecting and shooting firearms, was a member of local shooting clubs and a proud member of the NRA. He took every opportunity to load a few firearms in his SUV and head for the firing range.
Ed was proceeded in death by his father and mother, Arthur and Crystal Fisher Watson, sister Marian Maher, and brother Richard Watson. He is survived by Nephews John and Phillip Maher, Richard Watson Jr. and nieces Julia Watson Dombrowski and Christy Watson, as well as numerous cousins spread throughout the country.
Ed was a unique and caring individual who will be missed by his family and friends.
Funeral arrangements have been made through Bunker’s Garden Chapel in Mesa, Arizona (www.bunkerfuneral.com).
Funeral service with military honors will be held at 9:00AM on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Please consider donations to the Salvation Army.
We will always love you Ed!!!!!
I learned so much from “the smartest man I know”. We had a lot of fun together and I will always remember the fun. You were the only person I knew who truly knew how to be free! May God have mercy on your soul and may your memory be eternal.
Uncle Ed, or “Uniform Echo” as he and I jokingly referred to him, was truly one of a kind. A conversationalist about every subject, well read, travelled, with a keen insight into people and personality. I am reassured that he is back home with his parents and siblings. A heartfelt thank you to the Day family for being so good to him.
Uncle Ed, or “Uniform Echo” as he and I jokingly referred to him over the years, was truly one of a kind. A robust individualist, conersationalist on any topic, well read, well traveled, a patriot, could fix just about anything, it is no wonder he spent his retirement years in the West. Last year, I visited Sicility, and before going, checkin in with UE (Uniform Echo) recalling that he served on active duty with the Navy there. Instantly, he offered two restaurants for pasta, one on each end of the island, and recommended two tavernas. I replied, UE, wasn’t that 1964? Without hestitation, he replied, “those jonts have been there since Julias Ceasar!” All kidding aside, I am comforted knowing that he is home with his parents, my maternal grandparents, Art and Crystal, and his siblings. I’ll see you in Mesa. Respectfully, John N. Maher, Chicago (Geneva), Illinois. (312) 804-9912.
Please accept our deepest condolences during this most difficult time. While nothing will completely take away your grief, we have found the scripture at Revelation 21:4 to be especially comforting where it promises that soon God will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and death will be no more. May God comfort all of you and give you peace in the days ahead. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
We knew Ed through his and our friend Chris Makris in Tucson. From the beginning there was a warm connection. We remember Ed as a very nice and friendly man, he is in our hearts.
May he rest in peace.
Our deepest sympathies to Ed’s family.
I am heart broken to hear this, we just found out about my cousin Ed’s passing. I last saw him at my mother’s ( his Aunt Elner) 100th birthday party in Illinois a year ago January. He was good about attending all the family gatherings and he will be very much missed for sure. Ed was very connected to family and was interested in our family research and history. Being the last Watson in our line, Ed helped us submit and trace our Watson DNA though history back to the kings of Ancient Ireland. His legacy is part of a continuum of family that goes on in time and history. Rest in peace my cousin, until we see you again.