Walter P. Watson, 76, of Bridgewater, died Sunday, May 14, 2023, at South Shore Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was born in Norwood, MA on September 17, 1946, the son of Howard and Alice (Colmer) Watson.

He attended school in Norwood and graduated from Norwood High School in 1964. He received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University in 1969 and began a long and varied career with several Boston area firms and his own business. He met his wife Martha through mutual family friends who set them up on a blind date. After marrying in 1969, they began life together in Lowell, MA where their first son was born. They moved to a new home in Norwood where they would live for 18 years before moving to Bridgewater. Once settled in their new home, they found a church community that would provide meaningful friendships and a deeper connection to their faith.

He was an active member of New England Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the board of deacons, treasurer, choir member and as a volunteer with the prison ministry.

Walter enjoyed spending time in his garden and had varying degrees of success in cultivating an array of New England seasonal vegetables. He was also very proud of his landscaping skills and spent countless hours on weekends tending to his flower beds (when he wasn't giving tractor rides to visiting grandchildren). He loved his family and grandchildren and was a prolific purveyor of puns.

He was predeceased by his sister, Lois on April 16, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Martha J. Watson, four sons, Gregory Watson and his wife Tanja Cesh of Portland, ME, Bryan Watson of Bridgewater, MA, John Watson and his wife Jessica of Louisville, KY and Tim Watson and his wife Annelei of Wake Forest, NC. He also is survived by nine grandchildren, Aubrey, Andrew, Ethan, Sarah, Sofie, Matthew, Rylie, Noah and Natalie.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at New England Baptist Church, 560 North Main St., West Bridgewater, MA. A private burial will be held with immediate family at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org .