Richard Lee Watson, age 86, of Lenoir passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Amorem Hospice in Hudson. He was born April 6, 1937 in Watauga County to the late Otis Watson, Sr. and Stella Triplett Watson.

Richard loved the outdoors, especially watching deer and feeding the birds.  Richard enjoyed car racing.  He was a hardworking, loving and caring man.  He loved his family and wife dearly.  In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a sister, Mary Carlton.

Those left surviving include his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Jones Watson; two daughters, Deborah Messer (husband David Lee Messer Jr.) and Teresa Watson Moore (husband Duke Moore); two sons, Tony Watson (wife Cindy) and Eric Lee Watson; his siblings, Margret Honeycutt, Morris Watson, Brenda Cornell (husband Robert Cornell), Peggy Ward (husband Allen) and Otis Watson, Jr.; he is also survived by five grandchildren, three step grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren; he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Sherrill Wellburn officiating.  Burial will immediately follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Watson family.