August 5, 2015 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association (NCFA):
Roy Lynmore Watson, 97, of Hobucken, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Grantsbrook Nursing & Rehab Center.
Affectionately known as “Mr. Roy” to many, he was born April 12, 1918, the third of ten children, to the late Kelly L. and Ada Mercer Watson of Lowland. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving and faithful wife of 69 years, Hilda Sadler Watson; three brothers, Merritt Watson, Lowland, Ebern Watson, Raleigh, and Olen Watson, Knightdale; one sister, Gladys who died as an infant; and a foster sister, Nettie Daniels.
He is survived by four sisters and one brother, Nellie Cahoon of Garner, Ruby Allsbrook of Beulaville/Raleigh, Marjorie Eggleston of Lovingston, VA, Bertie Dougherty (Ronald) of Asheville and Kelly Watson Jr., of New Bern. Although he and Hilda never had any children of their own, he claimed all of his 33 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as his own.
He served in the US Coast Guard from 1942-1945, stationed at Ocracoke, and was assigned to Diamond Shoals where his duty was to watch for German Submarines. At the end of one of his sea trips, he realized he couldn’t see out of his left eye. After many attempts to determine the cause, and lots of hospital stays, he was declared legally blind and received a medical discharge from the Coast Guard. For 27 years, his wife, Hilda, drove him everywhere he went. Then a physician at Duke University Hospital preformed an operation which allowed him to regain his sight. During those years while he could see only images, he held to the philosophy he overheard a doctor once tell a patient, “Let’s not talk about what we can’t see, let’s talk about what we can.” Roy said what that doctor told that elderly patient taught him how to live without even knowing it. “From that day forward I never worried about what I couldn’t see.” From 1982 until his death he had a new lease on life with his eyesight restored, and was very thankful to God for it.
Mr. Watson was owner of the R.E. Mayo & Co. seafood business in Hobucken from 1970 until he sold it to Carroll Potter, a Lowland native, in 2011. One condition he put on the sale of the property was that he got to keep his fishing boat on his boat lift for as long as he wanted it. An avid mullet drop net fisherman, he would often go out at daylight and stay until dark. He served as a director of the Wachovia Bank in Bayboro, and at the end of his tenure was Chairman of the Board. He was one of the founders of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, and served as President from the 50’s until 1982. He served on the board of directors for Roanoke Bible College (Mid-Atlantic Christian University). He was a lifelong member of the Lowland Church of Christ and was active in its leadership. His legacy as a generous, caring gentleman, and much loved husband, brother and uncle will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him.
His funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7 at the Hobucken Community Center with his nephew, Merritt Watson Jr. officiating. Interment will follow immediately in the Watson Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the community center. In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial contributions be made to Lowland Church of Christ, 5906 Lowland Rd., Lowland, NC 28552 or Lowland Community Center, Hobucken, NC 28537.