Elmer W Bud Watson

Elmer “Bud” Watson, 98 years of age, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, Ohio.Bud was born in Newark, Ohio December 6, 1911. He moved with his family to Toledo, Ohio in 1927 where he graduated from Woodward Technical High School in 1929. Bud worked as an auto mechanic and at other jobs while he continued to play semi-professional football until his marriage to Grace Angeline Yenzer in 1933. They had three daughters.Bud joined Western and Southern Life Insurance Company selling life insurance to families in East Toledo until his retirement in 1967 when he and Grace moved to Karlin, Michigan. After 43 years of marriage Grace passed away in January 1977.Throughout his life Bud was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating, snowmobiling and hunting with his family and many friends. He was an amateur portrait photographer and during his retirement years, enjoyed golf. Bud was a member and past President of the Interlochen Michigan Lions Club. To his family he was “Mr. Fixit” for everything.In June of 1978 Bud and Alma Gresso of Interlochen, Michigan were married. They lived between Interlochen and Leesburg, Florida for many years before settling in Leesburg. Alma passed away in August 2002 after 24 years of marriage.Bud was also predeceased by his parents, Fred Herbert Watson and Ella Cassie Shepherd Watson; his only sibling brother, Wayne H. Watson and sister-in-law, Betty Hooker Watson and his youngest daughter, Nan Watson Ragland.Bud returned to Toledo in 2005 and resided at Toledo Lutheran Home Assisted Living in East Toledo. There he enjoyed his new friends and participated in many activities. In particular he became quite an artist. Over three years he entered three paintings in the Resident Forum, Art and Writing Show at the Ohio State level and received a 1st place, 2nd place and Honorable Mention for his beautiful work.Surviving his death are daughters Sue Oblinger of Toledo, Kay Marcus and son-in-law, Julius L. Marcus of Stamford, Connecticut, step-son, Donn Gresso and wife, Marsha, of Interlochen, Michigan. Bud and his “real-life” stories will also be missed by his 9 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.Family and friends are invited to share a Memorial Service in Celebration of Buds life on Saturday, October 23 at the Toledo Lutheran Home Assisted Care Chapel, 2519 Seaman Street at 3:30 PM.The family has deep appreciation for the staff and volunteers at the Toledo Lutheran Home where Bud was so very happy. The family also wishes to thank Hospice for their great care of Bud and his family in his final hours. Special thanks to Bill and Kathy for their many kindnesses and friendship.In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for the Toledo Lutheran Home or the Lutheran Home of Mercy, Williston, Ohio.Online condolences may be shared below: