Clarence Watson

Clarence R. “Bob” Watson, age 90, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully Thursday morning, Nov. 27, 2008, in Hennis Care Center at Dover.Born Dec. 27, 1917, at Byesville, O. he was a son of the late Clarence Mitchum and Cleo Ethel (McCune) Watson. In Feb. of 1942, at the age of 24, Bob enlisted in the Navy Reserves. He went off to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he completed his basic training. Upon completion of his basic training Bob was assigned to sea duty aboard the destroyer USS Aaron Ward (DD 483) and served in the South Pacific Guadalcanal area. He was honorably discharged in Dec. of 1945 with rank of fireman first class.On April 12, 1947, Bob married Wilma Mae Renneckar. Together, they observed 61 anniversaries. Through the years, Bob was employed by a number of area companies including Ridge Tool, Brinker Supply, Ohio Industrial Supply, Warner Swasey and worked as a carpenter with Harold Schneider. In 1962, Bob, together with brothers, Richard and Walter, formed Watson Brothers Construction., Inc. He was a 69-year member of Broadway United Methodist Church, a longtime member of the American Legion Post No. 139 and a lifetime member of New Phila. Elks 510. Mr. Watson leaves behind a family that includes his wife Wilma, two daughters, Melody (husband Keith) Bailey of Boiling Springs, SC, Melinda Gopp of Jacksonville, FL and two sons, David of the home and Dan (wife Exe) of Senecaville, Ohio. He’ll be sadly missed by his nine grandchildren. David Watson II (wife Sarah) of Dover, B. J. Watson of Dover, Jill Bailey (husband Scott) Brisken of Boiling Springs, SC, Stacy Bailey (husband Zachary) Whalen of Fredericksburg, VA, Megan Bailey (husband Michael) Cox of Baltimore, MD, Mark Finnicum (wife Jamie) of Raleigh, NC, Bryan Finnicum (wife Rayna) of N Canton, Melissa Gopp (husband Matthew) Garvey of Washington DC and A. J. Gopp II of Jacksonville, FL. Ten great-grandchildren, Dominic, Meah and Emma Watson, Ethan and Caleb Brisken, Wendy Whalen, Connor, Riley, Reagan and Mason Finnicum, a sister Marjorie Mardis of W. Layfayette, a sister-in-law, Shirley Watson of New Phila and a brother, Walter Watson (wife Freda) of New Philadelphia, complete the family.In addition to his parents, Mr. Watson is preceded in death by one sister, Vivian Watkins, and two brothers, James and Richard Watson. Mr. Watson will be remembered as a kind, gentle man with an optimistic view of life and a faith that never faltered. His favorite pastimes included traveling, tending to flowers, baking pies and being together with his entire family. Friends are invited to call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Bill Sowers will lead funeral services for Mr. Watson Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, with military honors, will follow in East Avenue Cemetery. Following the committal service, a reception will be held in Spencer Hall, located in the Broadway United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions may be made to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Ave., SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.