Billy Watson

Billy Gene Watson, 88, of Spartanburg, SC, died February 16, 2023 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born January 6, 1935 in Buncombe County, NC, he was the son of the late William Jasper and Mamie Brown Watson.

Billy graduated from Clemson University in 1957 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was the former owner of J. Frank Blakely Electrical Company in Spartanburg, SC, where he dedicated 50 years of service. A former member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Billy loved flying, spending time with his girls, playing golf and watching various type of sports, especially his beloved Clemson Tigers. He was an avid supporter of Clemson IPTAY.

Survivors include his daughters, Annette Watson Landers (Paul Kennedy Landers, (USN, Ret.) of Fairfax, VA and Sharon Watson Benton of Myrtle Beach, SC; five grandchildren, Jonathan Watson Landers (Lt. Col. USMC) (Jen), Brian William Landers (Casey), Elizabeth Allyson Landers, Kathleen Benton Carr (Brent) and James Carson Benton, III (Emily Anna); and 11 great grandchildren. He also brought Frankie’s children, Jan Goslin of Spartanburg, SC and David Taylor (Susan) of Inman, SC into his life. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Ann Jolley Watson, his second wife, Beverly Gilmore Watson, and his late wife, Frankie Taylor Watson, and Frankie’s son, Irby C. Taylor, III.

Visitation will be 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2023 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. at the chapel, conducted by The Rev. Rufus Chaneyworth. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westview-Fairforest Fire Department, 311 N. Blackstock Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or The Carolina Miracle League, 828B East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel