Russell Hill Watson

Russell Hill Watson, 92, died Sunday, July 10, 2011, following a 31 year long battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was born in Spartanburg, SC on July 28, 1918 and was a son of the late Russell and Zellah Hill Watson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Evelyn Wiggins Watson.Mr. Watson was a graduate of Clemson University and worked for a short time with SC Highway Patrol. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II and was a Purple Heart recipient. He retired from Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. As a Master Mason for 70 years, Russell was a member of Lodge 222 Enoree, SC and as a Shriner, he was a member of North Avenue Hejaz Temple in Mauldin, SC and Scottish Rite Temple in Greenville, SC.Surviving are his daughter, Peggy Watson Paul and husband, Randy, of Morganton; granddaughters, Tracy Boutin and Sandra Benfield; and great grandchildren, Summer, Marshall, and Russell Boutin and Michaela and Lexie Benfield. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Burke Hospice and Palliative Care.Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church in Enoree, SC with Rev. Jimmy Skinner officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Shoals Baptist Church, 220 Cedar Shoals Church Rd., Enoree, SC 29335.