Searl Samuel Watson, of Swain, died Tuesday, Nov. 17 (2015) in Harrison. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 12 to 2 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., both at the Deer Gymnasium. Stanley Taylor and Loren Collins will officiate. Burial will be in Swain Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel of Harrison.
Searl Samuel Watson, of Swain, died Tuesday, Nov. 17 (2015) in Harrison. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 12 to 2 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., both at the Deer Gymnasium. Stanley Taylor and Loren Collins will officiate. Burial will be in Swain Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel of Harrison.
Pallbearers include Bob Ramsey, Rodger Watson, Ron Chasteen, Ben Collins, Dotson Collins, and Coy Collins. Honorary pallbearers include all of his grandchildren, Legacy Hospice, Dr. Klepper, Dr. Churchill, Dr. Justice, Brothers of the Masonic Lodge, and Veterans of Fayetteville.
The son of Charles Thomas and Trissie Caraline (Collins) Watson was born on March 22, 1911 on Big Buffalo in Newton County.
He married Bertha Weston in 1935 and they enjoyed 53 years together.
Searl was a veteran of WWII having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Hendry in the South Pacific. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Jasper for many years and for the past few years in the Springdale lodge. At the age of 101 he became the oldest living Mason in Arkansas.
His wife; his parents; an infant son; a granddaughter; three sisters; and three brothers preceded him in death.
Survivors include one daughter, Paula Frank, of Jasper; four sons and their wives, Searl Jr. and Sandy Watson, of Cibolo, Texas, Garry and Betty Watson, of Kansas City, Kan., Larry D. and Janice Watson, of Springdale, and James and Marilyn Watson, of Swain; one sister, Golda Adams, of Japer; 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
