INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 5 — Former BLE International Vice President Edgar Ellis (Ed) Watson passed away on May 31, 2017, at the age of 87. He served the BLE as International Vice President from 1979-1993.
Brother Watson began his railroad career with the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) in 1950. He earned promotion to locomotive engineer in 1953, at which time he joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 48 in St. Louis, Mo. He held continuous membership in the Brotherhood since January 14, 1953. He was elected General Chairman of the TRRA General Committee of Adjustment in 1962.
Brother Watson served the Brotherhood in numerous capacities over the years. He served as Chairman of the Southwestern Convention Meeting and as chairman of the Western General Chairmen’s Association. He also served as a delegate to the 1962 BLE Grand International Convention and was a member of the Credentials Committee for the 1966 Convention. He served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee at the 1971 Convention and was Chairman of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee at the Second Quinquennial Convention in 1976, where delegates elected him 1st Alternate International Vice President.
Brother Watson was promoted to the office of International Vice President in June of 1979 following the retirement of A.F. Zimmerman from the Advisory Board. He was reelected Vice President by acclamation three times: at the Third Quinquennial Convention in 1981, at the Fourth Quinquennial in 1986, and at the Fifth Quinquennial in 1991. He retired effective June 30, 1993.
Prior to his railroad career, Brother Watson proudly served in the United States Navy and while on leave he returned home and married his high school sweetheart Patricia J. Askins. They then became the proud parents of Lynda, John, Nancy and Lee.
He is survived by: his loving wife of 67 years Patricia J. “Pat” Watson; daughter Lynda and husband Jon Henderson; son John and wife Virginia Watson; son Lee and wife Theresa Watson; four grandchildren, Lauren and husband Drew Biondo, Kelsey Henderson, Kathryn “Katy” Watson, and Amber and husband Errin Henry; two great grandchildren, Collin and Hunter Henry; sister Dorothy and husband Bob Schmidt; brother-in-law Richard Avery; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Brother Watson is preceded in death by his infant daughter Nancy Sue; parents John T. and Goldie Watson; sister Marilyn “Sue” McCune; two sisters-in-law Donna Avery and Barbara and husband John Copeland; and other relatives and friends.
Brother Watson was known as a practical joker. He also enjoyed a spirited argument and treasured the times he got to entertain his family and friends.
“Brother Ed Watson was a tremendous asset to our Brotherhood and he will be missed by all who know him,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “On behalf of the entire organization, I extend deepest condolences to Pat and the entire Watson family.”
A memorial visitation and service will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Mizell Funeral Home (904 W. Washington St., Cuba, MO 65453, (573) 885-3355. The visitation is scheduled from 4:00-7:00 on June 15, followed by the service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Memories can be shared online at the Mizell Funeral Home website.