Weyman Webster Watson

Weyman Webster Watson was born on March 27, 1956, the third son of Spann and Edna Watson. He was born on Mitchel Field in Garden City, New York. As a young child, he lived in East Meadow, New York; St Joseph, Missouri; Misawa, Japan; and Newburgh, New York. At the age of 5 years his family moved permanently to Westbury, New York.

He was educated in the Westbury Public School System, graduating from Westbury High School in 1974 after spending 1 year in Cleveland, Ohio at Cleveland Heights High School. He played football at both high schools. His other youth activities included: Westbury Wheels football team, Little League, Cub Scouts, and Nautical Cadets.

He attended Arizona State University, majoring in Criminal Justice. He joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduation he joined the United States Navy, following in the military footsteps of his father and two brothers. He later received an MBA from Webster University.

He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1980. He completed basic and flight training, receiving his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in 1981. His primary aircraft was the P-3 Orion, AWACS, used for air and sea reconnaissance. Some of his duty stations were Bermuda, Iceland, and Italy. He amassed over 1600 hours as a Navigator, Tactical Coordinator, and Electronic Warfare Officer on various Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance aircraft. Notable duties include a leadership role with the Joint Force Air Component Commander, controlling Counter Terrorism missions.

He retired from active and reserve duty with 30 years of service in 2010, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded and authorized to wear The Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, Artic Service Award, NATO Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Naval Reserve Medal.

Entering the civilian world, he worked at Estee Lauder Cosmetics as a project manager in advertising, development, and logistics. His following employment included Caldor Department Stores, BOC Gases America, Millennium Corporation, CACI Inc., and his final employer was Eltron Technologies. His position was Account Manager, Mid-Atlantic area for the Mil/Aero Division.

Weyman had many diverse interests and activities.  He had a life long love of music, especially jazz, accumulating hundreds of vinyl records and CDs. He traveled often to jazz clubs and concerts to enjoy a good performance.

He was a co-owner of a Formula Drift series race team. Named Top Cover Racing, they traveled the country and the world competing in races. He was also co-founder of Speed for Need, a non-profit organization that raised money for those in need.

He was an active lecturer about the history and contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen. His father, Lt. Col. Spann Watson, was a decorated pilot of the famed 99th Fighter Squadron. Weyman wanted to ensure that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and his father would never be forgotten.

In his quiet time, Weyman was a model train enthusiast. His collection of Lionel trains began as a young boy. He acquired many pieces of equipment, landscape, accessories, and buildings to complete a room size display with 4-5 trains running simultaneously.

Weyman was a man of integrity, loyalty, and friendship. He had a wonderful sense of humor and believed in helping others. He was devoted to his family and deeply loved by all who knew him. He was an excellent role model for his nieces and nephews, who called him ”Uncle Amoe”, a name given to him when one of them couldn’t pronounce “Weyman”. Because of the way he would appear, usually as a surprise, and leave, usually unnoticed, they also called him “Batman”.

Weyman is survived by his mother, Edna Webster Watson; a brother, Spann Marlowe Watson (CDR USNR (Ret) (Sharrie); two sisters: Cynthia Watson Hopson (Harvey (Col USMC(Ret)), and Dianne Watson Capers; three nephews; three nieces; four grandnieces; 1 grandnephew; and many other relatives. He was predeceased in death by his father, Spann Watson (Lt. Col, USAF (Ret)), and a brother, Orrin S. Watson, Capt. (USAF) and a nephew, Scott M. Watson, and a grandnephew Victor L. Ffrench.

Weyman passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018. He will be remembered in a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid's RC Church in Westbury, N.Y. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., will take place on October 9, 2018 with full military honors.

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