Bobby Roger Watson

Mr. Bobby Roger Watson, 83, of Mount Airy, passed away Saturday morning, January 22, 2022, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, with his family by his side. He was born September 13, 1938, in Mount Airy, to the late Dewey Franklin and Dorothy Faye Bennett Watson. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 62 years, Bonnie Lee Marsh Watson; three daughters, Debbie (Krystal) Watson, Amy (Rodney) Simpson, and Sharon (Trevor) Niston; six grandchildren, Tana (Jake) Leftwich, Tyler (Laken) Simpson, Kyle (Brandi) Simpson, Emma Slater, Molly Slater, and Kayla Marie (Jonathan) Wilmoth; eight great-grandchildren, Taylin Leftwich, Everly and Everett Simpson, Jepp and Lera Simpson, and Rush, Nash, and Ripp Wilmoth; two brothers, Clyde Watson and Gary (Pam) Watson; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved Dachshund, Nicklous. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his son, Greg Watson; a son-in-law, Chad Slater; a sister and brother-in-law, Martha Faye and Doug Stutts; a brother, the Rev. Dale Watson; a sister-in-law, Rosa Watson; and his stepmother, Martha Virginia Allred Watson.

Bobby was active, involved, and wore many different “hats” throughout his life. Bobby, a Mount Airy High School graduate (‘58), earned his pilot’s license at a young age, even before obtaining his driver’s license. After he graduated, he worked with Lucian Wrenn, Jr. at the old Mount Airy Airport, where he was an instructor and taught many people in Mount Airy to fly. He was a fulltime pilot for Sherman Simpson Construction Company, dispatcher for Hennis Freight Line, salesman of heavy, road work equipment for Slate Motor Company, co-owner of L.A. Reynolds, co-owner of Triangle Paving Company, and owner/president of Yadkin Farms and Watson Trucking. Bobby was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and taught Sunday school. Bobby was an active member of Renfro Masonic Lodge #691 AF and AM (Master of the Lodge in 1975), secretary of the Surry Shrine Club, member of the Surry Baptist Men, and performed missionary work in Honduras. He was an avid horseman and showed five gaited horses for many years.

Mr. Watson will remain at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM, where friends and loved ones are invited to pay their respects and sign his memorial book. The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 4:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with Dr. Roger B. Gilbert and the Rev. Jay Meadows officiating. The service will conclude with Masonic rites by Renfro Masonic Lodge #691 AF and AM. A private interment will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens at a later date. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Susan Hines, and Michelle Combs for their kindness, care, and compassion during Bobby’s battle with cancer. They would also like to thank their friends and family members who have offered their tremendous support during this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030; Oasis Shriner Hospital Fund, P.O. Box 630, Mount Airy, NC 27030; First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or a charity of the donor’s choice.