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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Monsignor William  A. Watson of Odell, 
4who passed away on April 27, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Monsignor Watson was born to Jarlath M. and 
6Lucille M. (Johnson) Watson in Pontiac on March 9, 1936; he 
7graduated from St. Paul High School in 1954; he attended St. 
8Bede Prep Seminary in Peru, Illinois for two years and 
9graduated from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein in 
101962; he was ordained by Bishop John B. Franz in Peoria in June 
11of 1962; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Monsignor Watson's first parish assignment was at 
13St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rock Island; there, he  served as 
14parochial vicar under Father Frank Casey; in 1969, he was 
15assigned to St. John's Newman Center in Champaign where he 
16assisted Monsignor Edward Duncan until 1981; at that time, he 
17became pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle in Peoria Heights; he 
18remained pastor there until receiving his senior status in 
192015 and then retired to Odell; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Monsignor Watson embodied the true measure of a 
21priest, and his commitment to people was the hallmark of his 
22ministry; he was compassionate and kind and made a deep mark on 
 
 
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1those who knew him; his gentle leadership attracted a vibrant 
2and flourishing community of faith at St. Thomas, where he 
3oversaw the addition of St. Thomas School, an enlarged worship 
4space, and a new rectory;  he will especially be remembered for 
5his Irish wit and humor and for the love he had for family and 
6friends; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Monsignor Watson was preceded in death by his 
8brother-in-law, Bud Verdun; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Monsignor Watson is  survived by his one sister, 
10Catherine (Bud) Verdun; his three brothers, John (Peg) Watson, 
11Joe (Caroline) Watson, and Jim (Linda) Watson; his 16 nieces 
12and nephews; and his 51 great-nieces and great-nephews; 
13therefore, be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16Monsignor William A. Watson and extend our sincere condolences 
17to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be 
18it further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Monsignor Watson as an expression 
21of our deepest sympathy.