Lyle Wayne Watson

Lyle Wayne Watson, age 87, a longtime resident of Chewelah, WA passed away on January 28, 2022 in Spokane, WA.  Lyle was born on September 18, 1934 in Kimball, NE the son of Forest Wilbur and Dollie Mae (Morrison) Watson.

Lyle attended school in Chewelah and began working at Bill Crowley's Saw Mill at a young age.  He then desired to serve and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  His age, once recognized, gave cause for his early and honorable discharge and he returned to Chewelah.  Lyle took an immediate interest to operating and wrenching on heavy equipment for local businesses.  His interests also gave time and devotion to a young lady named, Joan M. Zodrow.  Their courtship led to a 68 year marriage and a growing family which he dedicated himself to tirelessly.  Lyle worked to shape the Chewelah Peak area, the Radar Dome Military Site east of Colville, as well as, constructing and caring for countless miles within Stevens County.  Lyle's work ethic was unparalleled and early on he often supplemented his income after hours by filling, loading, transporting and delivering 100lb sandbags to the construction sites of dams, including; Box Canyon, "Z" Canyon, Boundary and Albany Falls, with his young family in tow.  Lyle also worked for Colville Valley Concrete under the ownership of Jim Dietz, and Kaiser Trentwood Rolling Mill in the Spokane Valley for a time, before he began a 25 year career with Steven County Road Department (Chewelah Shop).  He began as an equipment operator and retired as a shop foreman in 1982.  He continued working in the following years for several companies including, Deer Park Auto Freight, Richmond Implement/John Deere and Washington Water Power through its transition into Avista.  Hie second retirement began in the late 1990's.

Lyle and Joan were able to cherish a long retirement full of travel and time with family.  He held a soft spot in his heart and home for his animals over the years and the visiting wildlife.  He and Joan visited the Oregon Coast annually and set foot in every state west of the Mississippi over the years.  He kept a beautiful yard, flower and vegetable garden and loved to sow his endless supply of marigold seeds in the flower beds each spring.  He and Joan filled their home with music from Don Williams and Waylon Jennings to Johnny Horton and Jim Reeves.  His devotion to his wife and family was never in doubt.

Lyle was a member of the American Legion in Chewelah.

He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Wayne Watson; son-in-law, Rod Schneider; and his brother, Everett Watson.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Joan Watson of Spokane, WA; children, Deanne Barrans (Gordon) of Kettle Falls, WA, Janice Schneider of Kettle Falls, WA, Karen Arnott (Dan) of Rice, WA, Ron Watson (Rhonda) of Deer Park, WA; grandchildren, Craig Barrans, Kylee Ballance, Michael Schneider, Molly Corvino, Russell Schneider, Lyle Watson, Kury Vaughn, Dustin Carpenter, Matthew Arnott, Kyle Martin, Bryan Watson, Nate Watson, and Alicia Watson, 25 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of extended family.

The funeral service for Lyle W. Watson will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Chewelah, WA.  The graveside service and vault interment will follow at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery.  Pastor Shane Moffitt will officiate.  Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of one's choice. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com .  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.