Butch Watson Obituary

Butch Watson PINOPOLIS, SC - Robert Edward Watson, Sr., affectionately known as "Butch," passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, at home with his family. First and foremost, Butch loved the Lord, dedicating his life to pursuing God and sharing his experience of that relationship with others. To know him was to know kindness, gentleness, honesty, and integrity. Butch was born in Laurens County, the youngest of five. He moved early in life to Pinopolis just outside of Moncks Corner - a community he deeply loved and served throughout his life. Butch graduated from Berkeley High School, lettering in four sports, and then to play football at the University of South Carolina. After receiving a business degree, Butch continued his studies, earning a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina's School of Law. He served briefly as a Berkeley County Solicitor before entering private practice for 29 years. In August of 2002, he was sworn in as Berkeley County's Master-in-Equity, a role in which he served with great fairness and humility for eleven years. He then became a judge for the Town of Moncks Corner, until fully retiring in 2022. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the year to follow. A man of faith, Butch was a founding and pivotal member of Grace Community Baptist Church. Although not an ordained preacher, he studied and taught the Bible with fervor to many over the years, leading by word and example. Butch is undoubtedly reaping the rewards of that work now. His steadfast leadership and belief in community left a lasting impact. Butch's love for sports never waned. Baseball and the Gamecocks were always a topic of conversation, but nothing could compare to his joy in coaching his sons, grandsons, and their peers over the years. Even in his last years, he wore with pride three rotating, very weathered hats: the Boston Red Sox, Berkeley Stags, and Rob's USC baseball cap. Those who knew him best will remember not only his commitment to his family, his faith, and his career, but also his love of coaching, mentoring, and cheering from the sidelines. Butch is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Robuck Watson, affectionately known as Betty; his children, Erin Watson Pauley (Steve) of Pawleys Island, John Martine "Marty" Watson (Lianna) of Pinopolis, and Virginia "Ginny" Watson Williams (David) of Orangeburg; and his sister, Michael Watson Lewis (Jerry) of Pinopolis. He was the proud grandfather of Ben Cohen, Eve Cohen, Reese Watson, Abigail Cohen, Boone Watson, Burns Williams, Amelia Watson, Olivia Williams, Andrew Pauley, and Reyn Williams. Butch was preceded in death by his oldest son, Robert Edward "Rob" Watson, Jr.; his siblings, Pat Watson, Tim Watson, and David Watson; and his parents, Theodore Martine Watson and Dorothy Moore Watson. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Russell Funeral Chapel in Moncks Corner. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, September 25th, at 11:00 AM at Grace Community Baptist Church in Moncks Corner. Interment will take place immediately following in St. Johns Baptist Church Cemetery, Pinopolis. Memorials may be made to: Changed Lives Ministries, PO Box 1737, Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461.