May 14, 1938-December 19, 2023
Graveside Services for Doyle Wayne Watson, 85, of Jefferson, Texas were held on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at 2pm with Bro. Billy Darrell “Cy” Davis officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home at West Otis Cemetery in Sevier County, Arkansas. A time of Visitation will be held on Thursday December 21,2023, from 10-11am in the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home.
Doyle Wayne Watson, age 85, passed from this life on Dec. 19, 2023, at HomePlace, The Hospice of East Texas, Tyler, Texas. He was born on May 14, 1938, in Sevier County, Arkansas, to John William Watson and Irma Davis Watson, and he lived the last fifty years of his life in East Texas.
Hard work was Doyle’s life-long passion. It was what he knew best and enjoyed most. He gave his all to every job he ever held. As a young boy of only 15, he helped build the Galveston Yacht Basin. As a young man, he was the youngest boiler operator ever employed by Weyerhaeuser Corporation in its DeQueen Treating Plant. Later in life, he owned and operated his own logging operation. His logging activities yielded several unique pets for the Watson household, which included, among other things, a pet bobcat and two racoons!
Upon retirement, Doyle transferred his work ethic to his love of farming and gardening. Not only did he grow some of the most beautiful corn, peas, and tomatoes in the county, but he freely shared them with his family, friends, and neighbors. He had a very generous heart.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty Shelton Watson, daughter Sandra Reavis, granddaughter Jodi Baxter, great-grandson Scott Watson, and brother Charles Watson.
He is survived by six children: Patricia W. Coplan, Jimmy W. Watson, Sherry L. Sanchez, Phyllis K. Wallace, Joseph D. Watson, and Melissa D. Lingo; sister Alene Smith; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many friends and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.