Woody Bethune Watson

Woody Bethune Watson, 81, of Lake Charles died at 6:15 PM on Thursday, December 20, 2012 in a local hospital, surrounded by family members.

Mr. Watson was born on March 9, 1931 in Leesville, LA and was a lifelong resident of Lake Charles. He attended Tulane University and was a graduate of McNeese State University. He accepted a regular Army commission and served 16 months in Korea as a 1st Lieutenant commanding a combat engineer company. Mr. Watson was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

He achieved many wonderful things in life. He was in the insurance business for 35 years. Mr. Watson served 8 1/2 years on the Lake Charles City Council and was elected council President twice. He served as the Health and Safety Director of the City of Lake Charles, and was the Mayor's representative to the FEMA Advisory Board and United Way. He was also President of the Mayor's Armed Forced Commission, was on the Senate Committee Advisory Board for Military Veternan's Affairs, and was Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He coordinated the Employee Assistance Program for substance abuse for the City of Lake Charles, and was a member of the Prevention Network of Southwest Louisiana for substance abuse. He served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, and was an avid sports enthusiast.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Ruth Evans Watson and his daughter, Anita Falvey Watson Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Wade E. Watson; a daughter, Ruth Michelle Watson; and three grandchildren, Keith R. Valentine, Jordan Allen Smith, and Mary Ruth Grice.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Weldon Bares will officiate. Burial will follow in Orange Grove Cemetery. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.