WATSON, Henry Earl

Great Falls Tribune (MT) Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Henry Earl Watson, 89, died peacefully on March 28, 2015 at Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. His memorial service will be held at 1:00pm 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. 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 salutorian. Earl entered the U.S. Army on October 18, 1944. He was stationed in Holland, New Guinea and New Jersey. He received an honorable discharge December 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, MT. Earl was active in many organizations; Chinook Chamber, VFW, 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 brother-in-laws, 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. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.