The family of (Henry) Fay Watson of Lewistown, 68, regrets to announce the passing of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather on Monday, Dec. 23, 2007, at Central Montana Medical Center. There will be a celebration of his life from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Fergus County Fairgrounds Trade Center at Lewistown. Fay Watson entered this world on Oct. 29, 1939, at the residence of his parents, Henry Watson and Virginia Flowers Watson.
He was the fifth of 14 children. As a child, Fay, along with his siblings, would spend his time roaming the wilds of Lewistown. He started his schooling at Lincoln School and transferred to Highland Park, Lewistown Junior High, and then Fergus High School. He entered the Army Reserve during his senior year and served six years. He had many occupations including house-moving, cowboying, truck-driving, carpentering, sales and he was an artist, to name a few. On Dec. 15, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bernice B. Stepper in Lewistown at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was the father of four children whom he loved dearly and who equally loved and admired him. His love for adventure took him on many treks from a young married man hunting rabbits to gold-mining in Alaska at 50-years-old. Children old and young were what inspired him most. He loved to sit with his children, grandchildren and neighborhood kids, teaching them art was well as drawing for them. He will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Donny and Randy; three sisters, Sharon, Shyla and Jane; and one daughter- in-law, Bonnie (Bawden) Watson; and nieces and nephews. He is survived by his widow, Bernice, to whom he was married 46 years; his brothers, Bud (Grace) Watson, Bob (Bonnie) Watson; his sisters Billy (Bob) Shammel, Sandy Fowler, Betty Watson, Patty (Dave) Thiel, Holly (Ray) Cox and Terri Wichman. Also surviving are his children, Jocelyn Auberry, Jade (Laure) Watson, Jason (Donna) Watson and JoNette (Wayne) Lelek; grandchildren, Grace and Josh Gallagher, Erick, Alex, William Watson and Becky McKenna, Katie, Sophie, Silas and Isaac Watson; Nathan, Noah and Hilary Lelek; great-grandchildren, Daniel Scruggs, Jasmin Pacheco, Logan Gallagher, Ainslie, Naomi and Jonas Lelek; and multiple nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to Hospice, a school music or art program, or a charity of your choice, in his name.
