Boyce James Watson

Boyce James Watson (77) passed peacefully on Easter morning with his family surrounding him. He was born in 1948 in Cleveland, Bradley County TN, and lived his youth in the Michigan Avenue Community.

After Graduation from Bradley Central High School he joined the US Army where he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas. There he Served in the US Army Air Defense Command System as an Instructor on Assembly and Maintenance of the Nike Hercules Missile. Specialist 5th Class Watson loved to tell he could disable a war head guidance system within 30 seconds with a piece of foil (from a gum wrapper).

After his service in the US Army, he moved back to his hometown in Cleveland, Tn. He was employed with BASF for 34 years as Logistics manager for North and South America. With BASF he experienced travel to many countries and a 7 year move to the Carolinas. Then back to BASF Chattanooga site to work for 6 more years.

Boyce Retired at the age of 57 and enjoyed many wonderful years in retirement. He loved to visit his son and daughter- in-law and their fur babies in Cleveland, Ohio. He also enjoyed spending time in the mountains, cooking, gardening, working in the yard with his tractor, and was an avid old car enthusiast. He enjoyed attending many car shows.

As a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at New Prospect CP Church and later an Elder of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir and had served on several church committees. Boyce loved sharing his faith with others and was known for his goodness, strength and character. These traits live on in all those who were blessed to know him.

Preceded in death by his parents: Rev. James Leon Watson and Audrey Gaddis Watson; maternal grandparents Dock and Daphne Gaddis and paternal grandparents James Arthur and Laura Watson. Brother-in-law Jerome Goodner.

Survivors left to cherish his memory are his Wife of 58 years, Janice Ensley Watson; Son, Dr James (Jamie) Carlin Watson and Daughter-in-Law Dr Laura Guidry-Grimes of Cleveland, Ohio. Sisters, Loyce Farris (Rev Earl) of Houston, TX and Joyce Goodner of Inverness, Florida. Several nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life to honor Boyce will be scheduled at a later date.

Please share memories you have of Boyce online, and those who wish to make a donation in his honor, are invited to contribute to his favorite charity, St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Companion Funeral Home team are honored to assist the Watson family with these arrangements.