Harold Edward Watson, age 71, of Ithaca died Thursday evening, October 7, 2010, at his home.

He was born in Illinois on May 6, 1939, the son of Harold Clyde and Lola Francis (Warren) Watson. He married Yvonne Harrell of Georgia after his service at the Moody Air Force Base and then moved back to Michigan to work at the Wolverine Shoe Factory. He drove truck for Wolverine for 39 years, first as a short haul driver to Rockford and in later years as a long haul driver to the different factories across the country.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Yvonne Watson of Ithaca; two sons, Edward and Cindy Watson of Ithaca and Jeffery Watson of Lakeland, Georgia; two grandsons, Corey Watson of Dewitt and Jacob Watson of Ithaca; one great grandson, Jason Tyler Watson; his mother, Lola Watson of Forida; two brothers, Lester and Patricia Watson of Georgia and Jerry and Darlene Watson of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Clyde Watson and his brother Lee (Beaver) Watson.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2010, at 2 pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor James Conn officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Burial will be in the Ithaca Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Heart Association.