William James Watton III, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, completed his final earthly battle Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.
Mr. Watton was born July 27, 1944, in St. Louis to William James Watton Jr. and Helen Vernell Butler Watton. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Watton proudly served his country from 1961 to 1964 in the U.S. Army where he was awarded a Parachutist Badge. In 1968 he joined the U.S. Navy and while serving in Vietnam he was seriously injured. After receiving a medical discharge, he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Mr. Watton was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Mobile Riverine Force Association and National Rifle Association. He also was a longtime volunteer at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Mr. Watton was an avid reader who found great peace in reading his Bible. He loved being outdoors enjoying nature and spending time with his brother and extended family.
Survivors include a daughter, Autumn Lynne Watton; a brother, Thomas Dale (Donna) Watton of O’Fallon; and a nephew, James Warren Watton of Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Friday at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel. A Final Salute by the staff of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will take place as the procession drives by on way to the cemetery. The graveside service with full military honors will be at 1 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mobile Riverine Force Association; https://www.mrfa.org or Vietnam Veterans of America; www.vva.org.
Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of William James Watton, III. God Bless America and God Bless our troops!
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cwrfcs.com.