Birth date: Oct 1, 1953 Death date: Sep 8, 2021
Willard (Will) Lee Watson, Jr., DMD, resident of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Wednesday September 8, 2021, at the age of 67. Will was born on a U.S. Military Base on October 1, 1953, in Morocco, North Africa, to parents Wi Read Obituary
I am a classmate of Will’s from First Colonial High School Class of 1971. I am working with a committee for our 53rd reunion and in the process of trying to find classmates I learned of his passing. I am so sorry for your loss. We will miss him and his name will be honored at the reunion in April. My son is a dentist too. Good guys !!!! Sincerely, Ellen Overman Sinclair
Dr. Watson was a dear friend of mine, as well as my dentist. I remember an issue I was having with my tooth and he needed to pull it. Neither one of us realized there was a small tumor attached on the other side. Although the pain was unbearable, I trusted him and he got it all out. The following week, he called me twice a day every day to check on me and make sure I was okay and continuing to follow his instructions. That’s when we really bonded. What a wonderful friend with such a huge heart of compassion! You will be missed my friend! Rest now in the arms of Jesus! Till I see you again!
After knowing Will for nearly 40 years, a piece of my heart is gone. He was my family's dentist for 3 generations. He was a friend and a confidant. He celebrated my children's births and their children's births. He watched my daughter get married and then her daughters got to know "Dr. Will". Will, you brought a lot of good to this world and you were a dear friend. Love and prayers for Diane - may all the wonderful memories you shared bring her comfort in the days to come.. I miss you my friend, but I am blessed for having had you in my life.
You were one of a kind and will be missed so much Dr. Watson!
I met Will about 1981 or '82, before either of us married. I'd just gotten my lab certifications and he was recently graduated from UF Dental and was adjunct faculty. He was living solo in a single-wide mobile home in the park that was on the SE corner of Archer and 34th. I recall a time when a girl-friend and her cat moved in. The girlfriend left at some point and the cat stayed. :)
When I'd stop by to pickup or deliver lab work, he'd offer a beer and an invitation to
"come in and discuss", the case or whatever... He'd say, "We'll go point - counterpoint and figure it out." Never got argumentative. He spoke fondly of his teen years in Hawai'i (where I was born and raised). We would discuss the ways of the world... This did not change when he and Diane married. Early on I said, "I think you need a chair in a private practice to see patients in Gainesville. Let me ask around." I met his folks and did their labwork. I referred patients to him. We continued in conversation for almost 40 years around lab work even after I retired, because he was one totally LOYAL DUDE. A FINE DENTIST of great Faith who helped lots of people. A DEVOTED SON AND SPOUSE. I miss my friend and we all grieve the loss of this GOOD MAN.
