Obituary - Henry Earl Watson

Henry Earl Watson, 89, of Havre died peacefully on March 28, 2015, at Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes.  

His memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2015, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Ila McClenahan officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family has suggested that memorial donations in Earl's honor be made to the Havre Senior Center or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Earl's online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.

Earl was born July 20, 1925, to Henry and Nora Watson in Missoula, Montana. He was the third of four children. The family moved from the Ronan area back to their farm in Gildford, Montana, where Earl attended grade school and graduated from high school as the class salutatorian.

Earl entered the U.S. Army on Oct. 18, 1944. He was stationed in Holland, New Guinea and New Jersey. He received an honorable discharge Dec. 31, 1946.

Earl met Audrey Jean Layhee while he was stationed with the U.S. Army in New Jersey. They were married July 19, 1946, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After his discharge Earl and Audrey moved back to the family farm, north of Gildford, to start a family.

Earl farmed until 1964 when they moved to the ranch east of Chinook, Montana. Earl was active in many organizations; Chinook Chamber, VFW and the Methodist church, and he was a 4-H leader. He was also a local sports enthusiast.

Earl started Watson Trucking in 1971, which he operated until his retirement in 2003. Earl and Audrey moved to Havre in 2004.

Dad loved to visit with his friends, but his family was his priority. His hobbies included tending to his precious pheasants, working with his dogs, fishing and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; parents, Henry and Nora; sister, Ruth Knopf Gagel; brothers, Glenn and Lyle Watson; sister-in-law Jean Watson; and brothers-in-law, Earl Knopf and Roy Gagel.

Earl is survived by his daughter, Victoria Blackburn (Gordon Lee) of Wickenburg, Arizona; sons, Craig (Linda) Watson of Houston, Texas, Doug (Dianne) Watson of Havre, James (Barb) Watson of Dawsonville, Georgia; sister-in-law, Daisy Watson of Laurel, Montana; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.