He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Watson; and mother, Icee Jane Morris Watson.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Kay Watson; daughters, Aneta Wilson (Bobby), Michelle Smothers (Eddie) and Tommie Jo Watson (Greg Hiett); sons, John Watson (Jenny), Phillip Watson and Tim Watson; brothers, Bill Watson (Peggy) and Edward Watson; and grandchildren, Thomas Howell (Howie) Watson, III, Watson Smothers, Veronica Smothers, Dustin Bladow and Sidney Bladow.