WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Richard William Watson, 78, of Winter Haven, Fla., passed away March 18, at Consulate Healthcare of Winter Haven.

He was born in Wilton, on Dec. 1, 1929, the son of Harold and Agnes Sawyer Watson. He attended Wilton schools, graduating from Wilton Academy in 1947, and Maine School of Commerce in 1949.

He married Ruth Lamb Watson on July 11, 1949. He belonged to the Masons, Oxford Lodge 18 in Norway, Kora Temple Shrine, Scottish Rites, Shrine Club of Winter Haven, 50 year plus member of the Order of Odd Fellows, order of Eastern Star, past grand patron of the state of Maine, East Otisfield Baptist Church, where he was a deacon emeritus, and associate member of St. John’s Methodist Church, Winter Haven, Fla.

He worked in the grocery store business more than 30 years. He loved to be with his grandchildren and great-grandsons, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, walking in the woods with his father-in-law, boating and traveling. He moved to Otisfield from Wilton, where he made his home for 46 years before moving to Norway and Winter Haven.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth; son, Rick and wife, Kathy; son-in-law, William Newcomb; grandchildren, Beth Watson and Jennifer Newcomb Sherbinski (Matthew) and Andrew Leach; great-grandsons, Payton and Cameron Sherbinski and Dylan Leach; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Roberta Ann Watson Newcomb; his parents; and siblings, Laurice, Otho, Everett, George, Ida Wetmore and Jeanette Adams.