Festus (Fess) Asbury Watson III , 72, of Joaquin, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.  Ryder Ward will officiate.

Born October 21, 1952, in Grand Saline, Texas, Fess is the son of Festus Asbury Watson, Jr. and Billie Geraldine Milton Watson.  He graduated from Pine Tree High School in Longview and went on to further his education at Texas A&M University.  There, Fess earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.  He continued to be a proud Aggie throughout his lifetime.  His hobbies included fishing and woodworking. Fess was a member of Mims Springs Baptist Church in Logansport, Louisiana.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Stone Watson of Joaquin; son, Festus A. Watson IV and wife Katie of White Hall, Arkansas; stepdaughters, Heidi and husband Randall Pritchett of Joaquin, Piper and husband Chance Moton of Huxley, and Ciara O'Rear of Joaquin; grandchildren, McKinzy Lytle, Sky Lytle, Katelynn Riley, Samuel Watson, Tyler Watson, Chandler Pritchett, Aspen Pritchett, Palin Moton, Ryan Moton, and Ali Moton; great grandchildren, Brayden Dunn, Oaklynn Dunn, Emma Robinson, Addison James, and Jolee James; sister, Gail Watson Johnston and fiancé Tony Ray Bethard of Tyler; and nephew, Stephen K. Gregg and wife Helen of Austin.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Heather Watson; and parents, Festus Asbury Watson, Jr. and Billie Geraldine Milton Watson.

Pallbearers will be Festus A. Watson IV, Samuel Watson, Tyler Watson, Randall Pritchett, Chance Moton, and Chandler Pritchett.

A special thank you to Focused Care at Center and Harbor Hospice for their compassionate care.