Wayne Richard Watson

Our Dad and Grandpa, Wayne R. Watson was finally able to reunite with his sweetheart and eternal companion on December 5, 2024.

He was born to Don Everett and Lovella Weeding Watson on December 26, 1933, in Wapello, Idaho. He was the oldest of four children. Two brothers and a sister. Wayne attended Central and Irving elementary schools in Blackfoot, Idaho. Later, graduating with honors and boxing trophies from Blackfoot High School in 1952. 

Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps January 1954 as a Private, working in the Intelligence and Legal Sections after boot camp in California. He was then stationed in Japan and Korea, with special assignments in Rhode Island and Alaska. He discharged honorably in December 1956 as a Sergeant.

After military service, he returned home to his family, living in Tremonton, Utah. Wayne started attending Utah State. While working as a parts man at Glenn-Gay Implement Company, he met Shirley Cannon. They married February 27, 1959, in the Fielding Ward Church. Shortly after they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on May 31, 1963.

A month before they married, Wayne started employment at Thiokol/Wasatch Division in the Process Control Laboratory. Wayne continued school at Utah State, later graduating from Weber State College. He was promoted several times and retired after 34 years at Thiokol as Director of Space Operation Quality Assurance. His life at Thiokol was very rewarding; working with outstanding people and accomplishing some amazing things – especially many successful Space Shuttle launches as well as manufacture of several other military defense systems. He enjoyed working with NASA and other outsource vendors on behalf of Thiokol in many different states and countries. Wayne acquired many friends through his work and enjoyed intermingling with Space Shuttle Astronauts and U.S. Air Force management teams. Even after retirement, he kept in contact with several of these team members. 

Dad was an avid and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved every chance to share the Gospel in his callings. Dad was always a dynamic participant involving his kids. He was the director of Little League Football for years, always a baseball coach, and saw every dance recital and Powder Puff game. Coin collecting and reading were favorite hobbies; the book collection is vast, many on President Lincoln and World War II. He loved reading to his grandbabies. Grandpa loved his grandkids; he had the very best ones! Lately his interests were in military shows and anything regarding cars. 

During retirement, Wayne and Shirley enjoyed travelling, especially road trips to see children, grandchildren, and National Parks. Dad was always the passenger but gave lots of driving advice. 

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, who has been waiting four years! He is also preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lyle Watson, niece Annie Watson, in-laws Murray and Connie Cannon, Beverly and Lynn Petersen, and Rose Marie Watson

Dad is survived by his children, Darrin (Ginny) Watson, Curtis (Stacey) Watson, Barb (Ralph) Craven, Jason (Melissa Jackson) Watson; grandchildren, Colten (Peri) Watson, Carlie (Jed) Buehner, Jacob Watson, Jessie (Barrett) McCann, Jenna Craven, Ilsa Watson; grand-Doods and a diva, Harley, Shadow, and SamiSu; great-grandchildren, Jacie, Wesley, and Addy Buehner, Marlee McCann; brother Gene Watson; sister Donna (Bob) Montgomery; in-laws Verlene Watson, Gayle (David) Brough and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Noon. A viewing will be held prior from 10:30-11:30 A.M. All services will be held at Rudd Funeral Home- Tremonton (111 N 100 E- Tremonton). Interment will take place in the Fielding Cemetery. The services will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

A very big THANK YOU to Ralph for being the most awesome caregiver, channel-changer, lifting engineer lunch-fixer and driver. Dad was a very lucky man to have you watch over him every day. He knew he was loved. Lots of love to Jenna for checking in daily, even though he didn’t understand why you weren’t home.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.