Haywood A. Watson

Haywood Anderson Watson, Sr., who was affectionately and lovingly and called “Louis," was born on March 4, 1948 in Warrenton, North Carolina. He claimed his wings to be with Jesus just before midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany, New York. Haywood was the youngest of nine children born to the late Marion King Watson and Mary Kearney Watson.  

Haywood attended Warren County Public Schools. At an early age, he was baptized and joined Greenwood Baptist Church where he remained a member before moving out of state and making his home in Albany, New York.

Haywood was a retired Laborer for Local 190 in Glenmont, New York where he worked or over twenty-five years. Even after retiring, blacktopping and plowing snow were hobbies. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, music, and spending time with his family and friends. He could often be found among the fellows telling jokes to make them laugh as he added in some “tall tales” as well. He loved working outside in his yard and gardening where he grew vegetables which he often bragged on. He also enjoyed watching CNN, “True Story”! One thing that he took pride in and really enjoyed was spending quality time with his grandchildren, especially attending Woody’s sporting events and cheering him on in the crowd.

In addition to his late parents, other family members who preceded him in death include his son: Haywood Anderson Watson, Jr.; two sisters: Dorothy Davis and Roberta Watson; a nephew: Arnold Bernice Moore, who was reared like his brother; a great aunt: Viola Watson Boyd; two sisters-in-laws: Earnestine Longmire and Brenda Longmire; five nieces: Mary Denise King, Thina Faye Wiggs, Eleanor Wiggs, Angelena Wiggs, and Tonya Davis; two of his friends preceded him in death: Frankie Hilts and Henry Boyd.

Those left to forever cherish his sweet, sweet memories include his wife of 59 years Vivian Watson (Longmire); three daughters: LaMonda Watson, Haywanda Watson, and Erica Basile-Watson (Anthony), all of Albany, NY; a son: James “Antoine” Privett (Margo) of Warrenton, NC; grandchildren: A'Montay Giddings-Watson and Haywood “Woody” Williams-Watson, both of Albany; LaTasha Fisher and LaTela Privett, both of Warrenton, NC; a great-grandchild: Legacy Privett; sisters: Mildred Lindsay and Mary "Louise" Shark, both of Albany, NY; Emma Watson of Washington, DC; Eleanor B. Watson, Bronx, NY; Viola Bullock (John Clifton) and Florine Davis, of Raleigh, NC; brother-in-laws: McCell Longmire (Shelly) of Cohoes, NY, Elroy Longmire of Albany, NY; sister-in-law: Carleen Longmire of Albany, NY; goddaughter: Jackie Willingham-Jones; godsons: Haywood Hilts and Kale Johnson; Like a Son: Warren Giddings, Darnell Hudson, Shaun “Jr.” Williams, and Maurice Perrin ; Special Friends: Mr. Willie Thomas, Ms. Jodie Thomas, Ms. Olwen “Gigi” Giddings, Mr. George Ramey, Mr. Eugene Gaddy, Mr. William Hugh Tunstall and Mr. Alfloyd “Jr.” Alston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends too numerous to name.

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