Ernest Watson

age 85, of Lillian, AL passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2007. Ernest was born in Generys Gap, AL in 1921. He was retired from U.S. Steel after 42 years of employment. He served his country in the US Navy from 1942 to 1947 and served in or on NTC San Diego, CA, NAS Seattle, WA, NAS Pascoe, WA, NAS Los Alamedas, CA, U.S.S. SHAMROCK BAY, and NAB Navy #926. After retirement, he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and watching baseball games. He enjoyed coaching youth baseball and was an avid supporter of the Hoover Athletic Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford and Maggie Watson; a wife, Mary Marie Bailey Watson; eleven brother and sisters; and two grandsons, Barry Watson and Joe Raymond. He is survived by his wife, Josephine T. Watson; two sons, Bob Watson and wife, Ann of Lillian, AL, and Rick Watson and wife, Linda of Pensacola, FL; a daughter, Sandra Raymond and husband, Tom of McCalla, AL; five grandchildren, Dee Watson of Auburn, AL, Matt Watson of Pensacola, FL, Brett Watson of Orlando, FL, Blake Watson of Pensacola, FL, and Marie Norris and husband, Chris of Tuscaloosa, AL; five great grandchildren, Mallory Watson, Annabeth Watson, Zackary Watson, all of Birmingham, and Kayla and Joey Raymond of Bessemer; two step-sons; and one step-daughter. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with a graveside service to follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P. O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106 or the American Cancer Society. Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home directing