Ernest Monroe “Uncle Bill” Watson, 98, of Hiawatha, died early Friday, December 13, 2019, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha where he had been a resident in assisted living for a number of years.

He was born April 15, 1921, at Garden Grove, Iowa, one of two children of Lewis and Sylvia Watson. Ernest served in World War II, from 1942 until being discharged in 1946, at the rank of corporal. His early working years were spent working at City Park Dairy in Colorado. He later moved to Marshfield, Missouri where he spent farming for a number of years prior to moving to Chillicothe, Missouri. Ernest worked as a mechanic for Chrysler dealerships there for a total of 28 years, the last 9 years for the dealership in Chillicothe, retiring in 1982.

Mr. Watson was a VFW member at Marshfield, Missouri.

He married Mary “Waneta” Evans, May 10, 1945, at Littleton, Colorado. They have made Hiawatha their home since 2003. She died August 17, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Donna Lou Watson in October 1976, and a sister Pauline Crigger, and recently a niece and caregiver Beverly Lentz.

Survivors include nieces and nephews.

The family will meet with friends starting at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with a brief service to follow at 2. Interment will military honors will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Monday.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard, sent in care of the funeral home.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com