Obituaries : Winston \'Win\' Watson

CLEAR LAKE, IA — Winston “Win” M. Watson, 83, of Clear Lake, and formerly of VInton, died Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

A Celebration of Win’s Life will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson officiating. Visitation with family will be Thursday, 5-7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA., and then one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Memorials may be given to The Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of North Iowa or the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

Win was born August 29, 1932, in Harlan, the son of Marshall Chester and Laura (Adams) Watson. He graduated from State Center High School in 1950. Win went to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where he earned a BA degree in English-Journalism. He was president of the TKE fraternity and lettered in football and baseball. While in college he was in R.O.T.C., commissioned as a second lieutenant and completed his pilot training. He served in the United States Air Force as a pilot in the 40th Air Refueling Squadron, Salina, KS, and overseas duty in Labrador and Greenland. He was honorably discharged.

Win followed in his parents’ career path in the newspaper and publishing business. He worked as the sports editor in the Ames Daily Tribune, Co-publisher and editor of the Traer Star-Clipper, General manager of Mid-America Publishing Corp. in Des Moines, publisher of the Cedar Valley Daily Times, Vinton, and established and was general manager of the Mid-American field office located in Clear Lake. The office oversaw 13 newspapers including the Clear Lake Reporter.

Win’s next career paths led him to work in the Insurance and Realty businesses. He co-owned and managed the North Central Insurance Service in Ventura, IA., which represented independent insurance agencies dealing with a large number of farmers in the county and town dwellers as well.

Win also got his Realtor and broker’s license. He worked with Triad Realty for five years and then he started Win Watson and Associates. In addition to providing general real estate services, he specialized in brokering newspapers throughout the state.

He married Lois Lawson and to this union four children, Wendy, Lisa, Wade and Winston “Chip,” were born.

Win married Nancy Louise Johnson June 9, 1976, in Las Vegas, NV, and to this union one daughter, Erin, was born. He was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church. He was an avid Hawkeye fan traveling to every Big Ten Stadium, spending leisure time on the lake, socializing with family and friends and supporting Clear Lake events.

Win’s civic involvement encompassed many towns and people. He was a member of the Traer Jaycees, President of the Traer Chamber of Commerce, President of the Vinton Lions Club; Vinton City Councilman and Mayor; director of the Clear Lake Board of Realtors; Clear lake Area Chamber of Commerce President and board member for many years; Harbourage Home Owners Association director and past president.

Win is survived by his wife Nancy Watson, Clear Lake, IA; five children Wendy Watson, Stanwood, IA, Lisa Sweeting, Iowa City, IA, Wade Watson, West Branch, IA, Winston “Chip” (Donna) Watson, West Branch, IA and Erin (Jake) Krehbiel, Waukee, IA; and six grandchildren Betsy Sweeting, Iowa City, IA, Brook Sweeting, Carson City, NV, Gabriel “Gabe” Watson, Chicago, IL, Koen, Winston and Isla Krehbiel, Waukee, IA.

Win was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Justin Watson.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA, (641)357-2193, ColonialChapels.com.

---

Reminder: Vinton Today is in the midst of our annual fundraiser. Please take a moment to do what you can to help keep Vinton Today online! Donate by sending a donation to: Vinton Today Fundraiser, P.O. Box 7, Vinton, IA 52349 or you can donate via PayPal, by clicking on the link HERE.