Wilson David Watson Jr.

Wilson David Watson, Jr., Ph.D., PE, RPLS passed from this earth on the 22^nd day of October in the Year of our Lord 2026.  Known by most as W.D. “Dub” Watson, Jr. and later as W.D. “Sunny” Watson, Jr., was born on August 12, 1933 and grew up in Overton, Texas.  W.D. lived a full life of family, education, ministry, service and professional practice.

W.D. attended the then Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas, known now as Texas A&M University (Whoop!), where he served in the Corps of Cadets with the rank of First Lieutenant.   He earned a degree in Architectural Construction graduating in 1956.  W.D. served as an officer in the United States Army and in the United States Army Reserves.

W.D. worked for Humble Oil & Refining Company in Tyler, Texas.  He later worked for Seminole Construction Company in Lubbock, Texas and assisted with the construction of a church near Lubbock.  Following he joined Mobil Oil Company becoming an engineer and land surveyor in Hobbs, New Mexico and later transferred to Midland, Texas serving as a Senior Processing Engineer.  In 1976 he co-founded Watson & Associates of Midland, Inc., which provided civil and structural engineering and land surveying services. In 2008 he co-founded Watson Professional Group providing the same services.  W.D. served the oil and gas industry for most of his career.  He provided professional services to the infancy of the wind energy business in Texas along with serving the gas and chemical processing industries.

Most would remember W.D. for his contributions and service to the Engineering and Land Surveying Professions.  W.D. was a Professional Engineer in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma and a Licensed/Registered Professional Land Surveyor in Texas and New Mexico.  W.D. was in professional practice for over 50 years.  W.D. authored papers, taught seminars, and was a guest lecturer at Texas A&M University and at the University of Houston.  Throughout his career, W.D. mentored many aspiring and professional surveyors, including four of his children and two grandchildren.  He was a long-standing member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors.

In 1999 W.D. earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from California Coast University and from then on was known to some as “Doctor Watson”.  W.D. also became a certified civil and family mediator and wrote a book titled “Tools of the Soul, Harnessing the Wind Within”, which was published in 2006.

Throughout his life W.D. participated and served with many organizations.  He played high school football, became an Eagle Scout and was active with the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Board of First United Methodist Church in Midland, Texas, taught drafting at Odessa Junior College, and volunteered with Midland Community Theatre. He was a licensed private pilot and flew with the Flying Ambassadors, a local charity organization.

W.D. was preceded in death by his parents, Fay and W.D. “Boots” Watson, Sr. of Midland, Texas and his sister and her husband, Georgia and Frank Willis of Austin, Texas.

W.D. is survived by his six children, Paula Neville and her husband Warren, David Kasar and his wife Kathy, John Watson and his wife Tasha, Mark Watson, Peter Watson, Thais Ahlstrand, his twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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