William (Bill) Watson, age 95, passed away peacefully at Mt. San Rafael Hospital on October 13, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born in Pueblo, Colorado on August 29, 1929, to Elizabeth (Middlekamp) and William (Ray) Watson, the oldest of five siblings. Bill graduated from Trinidad High School in 1948 and attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins until being drafted during the Korean War. Bill served in the US Army stationed in Germany until he was honorably discharged. Bill then returned to Colorado and worked as a rancher at the Mecum Ranch in Stonewall Colorado and his family ranch in Longs Canyon. Bill was a true cowboy in every way.
On April 30, 1960, Bill was united in marriage to Antionette Zamborelli, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage prior to her death in 2010. Shortly after their marriage, Bill began a career at the Soil Conservation District which he retired from in 1989. As an area soil conservationist Bill was very skilled in identifying native plants and reading the terrain in the county on the spot.
During his retirement, Bill or “poppy” as his granddaughters called him, enjoyed fishing, doing leatherwork, and spending time with his beloved granddaughters. They will treasure that time always.
Preceding him in death are his beloved Antionette, his parents, siblings Tom(Lucille) Watson and Nancy (Jack) Britton, brother-in-law Don Lowell, and his in-laws August and Rose Zamborelli.
Survivors include daughters Lori (Mark) Macaluso, Trinidad, Lynn (David) Berri, Cedar City, Utah, and daughter and son-in-law Leslee(Fred) Flores with whom he has lived for the last 11 years, taking the greatest care of him. Also survived by granddaughters Meredith (Brice) Macaluso and Ashley Macaluso of Colorado Springs, Allyson Berri of Madison, Wisconsin, and Jessica (Chad) Hardin of Silverdale, Washington. Bill is also survived by sisters Sara Lowell of Williston, Vermont, Mary (Pete) Percifull of Ruidoso, New Mexico, brothers and sisters-in-law Robert(Judie) Zamborelli of San Jose, California and Tom (Vicki) Zamborelli of Colorado Springs, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation services will be held Monday, October 21 from 3-6 pm at Comi Funeral Home in Trinidad, Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, October 22 at 10 am at ComiFuneral home in trinidad followed by graveside services at the Masonic Cemetery.
Donations in Bill’s memory can be made by Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.
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