William A. (Bill) Watson, 51, of West Middlesex passed away at his residence Sunday morning, September 6, 2020, following a brief battle with cancer.

Bill was born December 28, 1968, in New Brighton, PA, a son of John A. and Peggy (Jenkins) Watson.  As Bill's parents traveled as Missionaries to several Mission Fields around the world, Bill completed a long-distance-home-schooling program through American Schools based in Chicago, graduating in 1986 and earning his high school diploma. Bill later attended Waukesha Bible College in Waukesha, WI.

A proud veteran, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1990, and following his Basic Training, served in the U.S. Army Reserve's Psychological Operations Unit as a Private First Class.

Bill drove truck for several years, earning his Class A CDL while working at B-Line Enterprises, Wheatland, and later moved on to several other trucking companies before finishing his driving career at Castle Builders Supply and Trucking in Hermitage.

In March of 1993, Bill attended the Mercyhurst Municipal Police Training Academy at their satellite location on the campus of Thiel College, Greenville. Bill graduated from the Police Academy in September 1993 and received his Certificate of Completion in compliance with the requirements of Pennsylvania's Act 120.  Bill was elected as State Constable for Shenango Township (Mercer County) for two terms, performing a wide range of duties, including: prisoner transport and serving warrants and other district court papers.  Bill was employed by the Thiel College Campus Police in Greenville where he achieved the rank of Sergeant.  He also worked for the Park Rangers in Buhl Park, Hermitage and served for a time as their Assistant Chief.  Bill was currently a Police Officer for the Borough of Jamestown, first working as a full time Patrol Officer, then being assigned as the School Resource Officer in the Jamestown Elementary School. While serving at Jamestown Elementary, Bill truly enjoyed his time spent with the students and staff.

Bill was previously a member of the Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Department (Mercer County), where he had served as an Assistant Chief.  Bill also belonged to the Lakelands F.O.P. in Greenville.

Bill loved motorcycles and enjoyed nothing more than taking his Harley Davidson Motorcycle on long country rides with family and friends.  Bill also loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could camping, hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

Bill was a devoted family man and loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.  He would constantly be found with his family, laughing and quoting his favorite lines from various movies.

His wife of 28 years, the former Beth O'Brien, whom he married August 29, 1992, survives at home in West Middlesex.

Also surviving are: four daughters, Ashton O'Brien, Masury, OH, Brianna (Shawn) Sackett, Hermitage, and Kaitlyn and Erin Watson, both of West Middlesex; a son, Brendan Watson, West Middlesex; his parents, John and Peggy Watson, Rochester; his father in law, Jack O'Brien, Hermitage; a sister, Victoria (Robert) Ciccone, Hornell, NY; two grandchildren, Joshua Sackett and Jillian Jones; and two brothers-in-law, Stephen (Bonnie) O'Brien, Transfer; and Jeffrey (Laurie) O'Brien, Madison Heights, VA.

Bill was preceded in death by a sister, Rebecca Watson; his mother-in-law, Nancy O'Brien; his paternal grandparents, Loretta and William Smith; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Timothy and Janet O'Brien; and his maternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to the family to help with expenses.  Calling hours will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday (9/10/2020) at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State Street, Sharon, PA.

Funeral service will be held privately at 11:30 a.m. Friday (9/11/2020), in the funeral home, with Jonathan O'Brien, officiating.  To watch the live stream go to Bill's Funeral Service .

Interment:  Mt. Washington Cemetery, Jefferson Township.  Full military honors will be conducted graveside by the Wheatland AL and West Middlesex and Farrell VFW Honor Guard.