Born in Troy, Missouri, Watson attended the public schools until the age of 17, when he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to work for the Butler Brothers retail chain there.
[1] He was elected to the state senate to succeed John M. McKeon, who had died in office.
[2] Watson unsuccessfully sought reelection in 1942, and later became an Alderman in St. Louis, remaining in that position until his death.
[1] Watson married Josie Phelps, with whom he had two daughters.
[1] Watson developed heart disease around the age of 65, and died of a heart attack in his home in St. Louis at the age of 70.