Wendell Watson
Wendell Clair Watson, 87, of Slippery Rock, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Nov. 1, 2021, after living with cancer for three years.
Will was born on Oct. 23, 1934, to Harvey and Stella (Bauder) Watson, and grew up on the family farm in Plain Grove, Pa., where he learned a strong work ethic while also getting into plenty of mischief with his brother, Dean, and sisters, Mae, Gladys, Esther and Doris Jean.
He developed his love of wildlife at an early age, having raised a baby raccoon, a skunk, and a groundhog named Mike. As a young boy, he began shooting and hunting, a passion he would pursue throughout his life.
As a young man, Will met a cute girl from Harrisville, whose sister was dating one of Will's best friends. The four of them went on a double date, and on Oct. 17, 1953, Mary Pearl Grossman became his wife. They soon became parents to two much-loved daughters, Deborah Kay and Patricia Lavonne, and built a beautiful life together. They were married for 62 years until Mary's death in 2016.
Will worked at Cooper's Block Plant in Slippery Rock for 13 years, followed by 30 years of employment at Armco in Butler, from which he retired in 1996.
Throughout his lifetime, Will was known for a playful sense of humor, his meticulously cared for vehicles and lawn, and a deep love of and respect for nature. He was a fisherman, an avid trap shooter, and a hunter in both archery and rifle seasons.
Bird watching became a well-loved pastime of his, and he proudly partnered with the Audubon Society in providing habitats for purple martins and bluebirds. He was also a member of the Slippery Rock Sportsman's Club, the Harrisville Deer Hunter's Club and the NRA.
Will loved spending time with family and friends, and trips to Hawaii and Florida with his wife. His hunting trips to New York also brought him much joy.
His children and grandchildren will forever cherish Pap-pap's deep, resonant laughter, his spirited recitations of poems learned in junior high about naughty grasshoppers and precious four-leaf clovers, his strong hugs and handshakes and his constant presence as a bedrock of the family.
Wendell is survived by his sisters, Mae Bester of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Esther Drane of New Castle; his daughters, Deborah (James) Neyman of Volant, and Patricia Pink of Slippery Rock; his granddaughters, Stacie (Matthew) Sespico of Butler, and Shannon (Stephen) Bolibruck of Allison Park; and his great-grandchildren, Emily, Nathaniel, Noah and Josiah Sespico, and Elias and Hope Bolibruck.
Will was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; his brother, Dean; his sisters, Gladys Emery and Doris Smith; and his son-in-law, Daniel Pink.
WATSON — Friends and family of Wendell Clair Watson, who died Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, will be received for visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Plain Grove Presbyterian Church, 626 Plain Grove Road, Slippery Rock. The Rev. Dr. Stanley Keehlwetter will preside.
Interment will follow at South Plain Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Wendell's family requests donations be made to Plain Grove Presbyterian Church, 626 Plain Grove Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, where he was a lifetime member.
