Foy Watson
Foy Walton Watson, Jr., the father of Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson (R-Hixson), died at his home on Saturday, four days before his 90th birthday.
Mr. Watson graduated from Chattanooga High School, attended East Tennessee State Teachers College Army Air Corps Training Detachment, and the University of Chattanooga. He served as a training pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was retired from Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company after 41 years of service, where he was a vice president in the Group Insurance Department.
Mr. Watson was an usher at Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the finance and endowment committees, member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, the Pachyderm Club and the Chattanooga Half Century Club.
In addition to Senator Watson, he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lynda Holloway Watson; children, Suzanne Rushworth (Rick), Melissa Pierce (Ed), Debbie Gates (Phil), stepchildren, Kelly Iles (Beth) and Kirby Iles (Bobbie); and grandchildren, Ashley Herrick, Marshall Rushworth (Courtenay), Elizabeth Bradford (Nick), Foy Walton "Grey" Watson IV, Rachel Hollander (Chris) Molly Iles, Emily Brown (Josh) and great-grandchildren, Anna Blake and Clara Joy Bradford, and Rowling Marie Hollander.
A memorial service will be held on his 90th birthday at noon on Wednesday, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, with pastors Stanley Combs and Chris Hansen officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. A military burial will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Chattanooga National Memorial Cemetery.
Donations in honor of Mr. Watson may be made to The Cherokee Council of The Boy Scouts of America, Trinity Lutheran Youth Program, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.