Coach Bobby C Watson

Bobby C. “Coach” Watson, 87, of Hoxie, Arkansas, went home to his Heavenly Father on December 13, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Coach Watson was born on October 1, 1926, in Osceola, Arkansas to Carroll and Lorene Whiteside Watson. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Frank Watson. He graduated from Osceola High School. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Philippines as a radio operator on PT boats. Following his service in the Navy, he attended Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) where he was a letterman in basketball. He graduated from the University of Arkansas where he received his Bachelor and Master degrees in physical education and administration. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity there. Coach Watson coached football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis and track and field. He coached at Western Grove, Harrison, Crawfordsville and Hoxie. He re-started the Hoxie High School football program in the 1969 and re-started girls basketball. He managed the summer Walnut Ridge Little League baseball program for a number of years. He was a dedicated teacher and coach for more than 40 years, having dedicated his life to enriching the lives of all the students and athletes that he came in contact with throughout the years. Coach Watson was a member of the Hoxie First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school for over 60 years at both Crawfordsville Methodist Church and Hoxie First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed teaching the Men’s Sunday school class for many years. He was an avid golfer and loved playing many different courses, having taught all his children to play the game. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden and taking his family to Spring River. He also enjoyed attending the baseball, basketball and football events at Arkansas State University. The NEA Tournament was also something that he attended for many years, having served on the Board. Surviving him are his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Smith Watson; one son, Bobby Mike Watson (Tami) of Hoxie; three daughters, Robin Hamilton (Allen) of Jonesboro, Judy Watson of Wilson, and Terri Watson of Marion; six grandchildren, Holli Hamilton Haynie (John) of Bella Vista, Bobby Joe Watson (Jami) of Jonesboro, Bradley Hamilton (Leah) of Jonesboro, Billy Mike Watson (Courtney) of Walnut Ridge, Trey Watson of Miami, Florida, Taz Watson of Marion; and one great grandson, Case Hamilton Haynie of Bella Vista; and many other relatives and friends. Rev. Bob McMillan officiating. Pallbearers will be Louis Aple, Joe Penn, Joe Fisher, Tim Taylor, John Weir and Jimmy Green. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men’s Sunday school class at the Hoxie Methodist Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials to be sent to Walnut Ridge Little League Program, P.O. Box 716, Walnut Ridge, AR 72479 or Hoxie First United Methodist Church, 318 SW Broad St, Hoxie, AR 72433.

Coach Bobby C Watson

October 1, 1926 - December 13, 2013