Obituary of William Gordon Watson

Gordon was born on October 22, 1924. He was the second child of Leona and William Watson. His sister, Ruth, was eleven years older and very excited to have a baby brother. Gordon grew up and finished high school in Bedford, Quebec where his family lived on a small farm. He had a horse and plough and when he didn't work on the farm he earned extra money ploughing for the villagers. Gordon started technical school in Montreal, but the lure of travel and the war drew him to enlist in the Air Force. He was posted in various cities across Canada, serving with the ground crew. It was during this time while stationed in Dawson Creek that his eye was caught by Nellie Bondarchuk. They were married the next year on August 10, 1945. Recently he was overheard telling the nurse that Nellie was the prettiest girl at the dance, Gordon never forgot this vision. He remained with the Air Force until he was discharged in the Spring of 1946. Gordon and Nellie were ready to settle down so they purchased the Farmington Store in June of the same year. They operated the store until the end of 1952; Gordon contacted polio that November and was unable to continue working. Upon recovering from his illness they started clearing some land at Mile 14 on the Alaska Highway where they built a home for their family. In 1955 Gordon and Nellie welcomed baby, Loretta Leona. Their second daughter Ronda Joan was born in 1957. In the 1970's the family broke ground on a second farm in the Sunset Prairie area. In 1975 Loretta and Ken purchased the majority of the farm at Farmington this gave Gordon and Nellie many hours enjoying three of their grandchildren, Laurie, Dwayne and Cynthia. Laurie looked forwarded to making fudge for her grandfather. Dwayne always went looking for Grandpa to see what he was doing, as Grandpa always took the time to show him. Cynthia remembers being curious watching Grandpa dip chocolate chip cookies in his coffee. Ronda and Elgin were married and Gordon and Nellie were blessed with two more grandchildren. Andrea and Norton always enjoyed the stories Grandpa had to tell. Gordon was predeceased by his parents Leona and William and sister, Ruth. Gordon is fondly remembered by his wife, Nellie; daughter Loretta (Ken) Vause; daughter Ronda (Elgin) Hunt; grandchildren Laurie (Allan) Bieganski; Dwayne (Amy) Vause; Cynthia (Mark) MacHattie; Andrea (Kevin) Hunka; Norton Hunt; great-grandchildren Scott, Bradley, James, Dylan, Kobe, Zane, Chance, Jarin, and many neighbours, close friends and hunting buddies. A funeral service was be held on Friday, November 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Reynars Funeral Chapel, Reverend Elizabeth Gillott officiated, Interment followed in the Sunrise Valley Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Gordon to the South Peace United Church Building Fund, 1300-104th Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2J6 Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium