Royce Earl Watson

Mr. Royce Earl Watson, 82, died at home peacefully on March 24, 2025, in Bryan, Texas.

Royce was born on November 26, 1942 (Thanksgiving Day) to Royce Lee Watson and Norman Gatewood Watson. He graduated in 1961 from Stephen F. Austin High School. He attended Texas A&M University before going into the Navy. Unfortunately, his Navy career was short-lived because of injuries to his knees he received while in the Corp of Cadets.

Royce married Jackie Harding in February 1966. To this union were born three children, Michelle Renee’ (Baker), Bradley LeRoyce Watson, and Britt Alan Watson. Royce and Jackie divorced in 1991.

He worked many jobs in his lifetime. He worked for Orrs Grocery when he was young, Bailey Distributing when his children were young, owned the Business Digest for many years and eventually ended up as a rural mail carrier for the USPS. He retired from the Post Office in 2005.

He was a member of the Cowboy Fellowship of Aggieland. The NRA, American Legion, Sons of Confederate Veterans-Sull Ross Chapter and other organizations. He was a founding member of the Precint 3 Volunteer Fire Department.

He loved coin collecting, metal detecting and traveling, especially to the beach. He spent many days going to Texas Renaissance Festivals dressed in all the regalia. He was drawn to the Celtic music and made friends with the performers.

Royce was a unique person and a hard worker; he was outspoken in his beliefs whether you wanted to hear it or not. He was never one to show his feelings so reading him was really hard at times. But in his last days he told Brad and Michelle how much he appreciated them and didn’t know what he would do without them.

Royce was preceded in death by his father Roy Watson, his mother Norma Gatewood Watson and his son Britt Watson.

He is survived by his brother Dale Watson, daughter Michelle Baker (Johnnie) and son Brad Watson. He has 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or the Cowboy Fellowship of Aggieland.