Robert “Bob” Watson 1937-2025

For a man without vision, Robert “Bob” Watson was certainly not short on vision. Watson, a longtime local attorney and Lewis and Clark Community College board trustee and chairman died Saturday at the age of 87.

Watson lost his eyesight at the age of six and attended the Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School, which is now Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, IL.  He graduated with his JD from the University of Illinois.  He went to Washington D.C. and worked for the State Department before moving back to Illinois and working for the Illinois Attorney General in Springfield.

He opened Watson Law Office in 1972 in Brighton, and later opened a branch in Bunker Hill. He practiced law for 61 years and was the Village of Brighton’s Attorney for 51 years. He also served on the board of trustees at Lewis and Clark Community College for 44 years, serving as chairman for 39. The math building on the campus is named in his honor.  He also served on the Southwestern School Board for several years.

Watson is survived by his wife, Julia and four children. Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Brighton with funeral service to follow at 10 am on Wednesday. Burial will follow at Brighton Cemetery.

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Timothy A. Slating
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