Charles S. Watson, 61, of Springfield, died on November 15, 2017.

Charles was born September 27, 1956, in Peoria, the son of Judge James R. and Caroline Shinkle Watson. He married Sarah Seiler on July 28, 1979 in Pana, IL.

Charles earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1980, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, IA in 1983. After moving to Springfield, Charles joined the Office of the Attorney General as an attorney and finished his career in private practice. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Sangamon County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Charles also was president of the Sojourn Shelter and Services Board and was a board member and past president of the board for Springfield Center for Independent Living from 2016–2017. He loved cooking, photography, and anything about Abraham Lincoln.