Robert "Ub" Watson

Robert "UB" Watson, 83, of Greensboro (Mapletown), Pa., died Thursday, March 3, 2016 in his home. He was born October 31, 1932 in Mapletown, a son of the late Robert Franklin and Mabel Marie (Tanner) Watson. Mr. Watson was a 1950 graduate of Mapletown High School and resided in Mapletown nearly all of his life. He was one of two students at Mapletown that lettered in football, baseball, wrestling and basketball. Mr. Watson served with the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict with the 20th Bomber Squadron, 2nd Bomb Wing of the 38th Air Division. He served under wing commander, Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., the pilot of the Enola Gay that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan. While he was stationed in the Air Force in Savannah, Georgia, he met Virginia F. Peacock, whom he married on July 20, 1959. His wife died on June 6, 1994.

Mr. Watson worked for the Operating Engineers Local 66 for over 40 years as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. He worked on many projects including the construction of the Hatfield Ferry Power Station, Interstate 68 and the Fort Pitt Tunnel. For the past 30 years, Mr. Watson also owned and operated the "Watson Mall, Emporium and Art Gallery" in Mapletown which was featured in the Pennsylvania Magazine. He was a member of the Mapletown United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6303 and Cumberland American Legion Post 400. Mr. Watson was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf.

Surviving are three sons, Robby Watson and his companion, Lorrie Phillips, of Greensboro, Lee Watson of Mapletown and Ken Watson and his wife, Stacey, of Washington, Pa.; two grandchildren, Gregory Robert Watson of Bridgeport, Ohio and Sidney Faye Watson of Washington; a brother William L. Watson and his wife, Dolores, of Carmichaels; two sisters, Betty Mae Waggett of Carmichaels and Jean Marie Keener and her husband, Jack, of Mapletown; a special nephew, Mark W. Watson of Raleigh, N. C.; several additional nieces and nephews; his companion, Judy Sweeney; his sisters-in-law, Carole McClure of Mount Morris, Pa. and Jo Ann Mullis and her husband, Edwin, of Alma, Ga. and a brother-in-law, Kennith Peacock and his wife, Wanda, of Alma. Deceased are two nephews, William L. Watson and Jack K. Waggett; his brothers-in-law, Donald Leroy Waggett and Danny Peacock and his mother-in-law, Allowee Peacock-Murphy.

Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 P.M. on Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. on Sunday in the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Carmichaels, Pa. where the funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 7, 2016. The Rev. John W. Hodge and the Rev. Kenneth Haines will officiate.

Interment will follow at Monongahela Hill Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Carmichaels Honor Guard and the U. S. Air Force.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Mapletown United Methodist Church, 926 Mapletown Road, Greensboro, PA 15338 or to the Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.