Hyrum Watson

Hyrum Gayle Watson
Hyrum Gayle Watson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 in the house he designed and built at 39 W. Peach St. in the city he loved Grantsville, Utah. He was 86 years old. Hyrum was born Feb. 27, 1925 in Grantsville at his grandparent's house on Clark Street. His mother was Clara Irma Sutton Watson and his father was Thomas Gilford Watson. Hyrum grew up in Grantsville and graduated from Grantsville High School. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in battle.
He married Donna Louise Hale. They were married for 52 years and had three children Arnie (Joan), Irma and Mark. The family was sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
Hyrum later married Anne C. Imlay-Watson and they were together for six years.
He worked at the Tooele Army Depot for several years where he inspected buildings and wrote work orders for repairs. If the project was small enough he would make the repairs himself.
Hyrum was the first manager of the Tooele branch for Standard Plumbing Supply Company. He worked there for eight years.
He also earned extra money by completing plumbing, electrical and carpentry repairs for people in Grantsville, Tooele and Salt Lake City.
He was a natural musician who could play piano by ear. He also was a drummer and played in several orchestras throughout the years. He was a member of the Clark Imlay swing band which performed at several Grantsville Old Folks Sociables. Hyrum loved the big band sound and attended several jazz concerts throughout the years.
He turned his backyard into a playground for his grandchildren with a towering three-story tree house where the brave could jump into a 5-foot deep swimming pool. The pool also featured a rope swing and basketball hoop.
Hyrum served in several positions in the LDS Church. He served as a scoutmaster and loved the outdoors completing many excursions with his boys to the Uinta Mountains, Deseret Peak and South Willow Lake.
He loved animals and cared for many during his lifetime including Fella, Lady, Mervyn, Bummer, Tim, Nicodemus and Buddy. During his final days affectionate and people-loving cat Buddy was continually at his side.
Hyrum is survived by his wife Anne, his three children, and sisters Shirley (Dick) Johnston, Kerma (Fred) Kenley and Helen (Antonio) Riquelme. He is also survived by grandchildren Cassie (Darin Arnell), Ryan, Colin, Karleen and Micah. Also, great-grandchildren Abigail Arnell and Brilya Arnell.
The family would like to thank the workers at St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City, Mountain West Medical Center Hospice and Micah Watson for their professional care of Hyrum during the past four months.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Aug.10 at 11 a.m. at the Grantsville City Cemetery. Services entrusted with Didericksen Memorial 435-277-0050