William Harvey Watson, III

William Harvey Watson, III, 72, of Alpharetta, GA died at his home on January 7, 2009. Born in Jackson, MS he was the son of the late W. H. Watson Jr. and Sarah H. Watson. His sister-in-law, Frances E. Watson also predeceased him.

Mr. Watson is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jean Lull Watson of Alpharetta, GA; daughter, Beth W. (John) Ransom of Tampa, FL; son, W. Russell (Diane) Watson of Atlanta, GA; grandsons, Garrett Ransom, Watson Ransom, Brian Watson and Nicholas Watson; brother, Louis H. Watson of Jackson, MS; sister, Sarah Watson (Fred) Wile of Meridian, MS; sister-in-law Nancy L. (Earl Smith of Beacon Hill, FL; uncle, Louis Hanner of Sherman, TX; aunt, Alice W. (Dr. Granville) Tabb of Jackson, MS; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Bill graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1960 with a BS in Civil Engineering. He was a four year varsity tennis player, in the first group of Carrier Scholars, a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a member of the NROTC. Following graduation and completing a tour of duty in the US Navy, he began his career with the Mississippi Power Company. He worked for the Southern Company System for 29 years, retiring from the Georgia Power Company in 1992. He retired from the US Navy with the rank of Captain.

After retirement, Mr. Watson was active as a volunteer for Atlanta League Tennis, instructor of defensive driving for AARP, counselor for SCORE, counselor for Medicaid bill payments and served as an officer for the Georgia Power Ambassador Retireesâ