Kenneth L. Watson, 83, passed away May 5, 2018 due to natural causes while at his favorite fishing hole at Virgelle. Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Benton Funeral Home. His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Ag Center in Fort Benton. Memorials in Ken's name may be made to North Star School Foundation, CJI Education Foundation, or charity of your choice. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Ken's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to leave a message of condolence for his family.

Ken was born on June 29, 1934 to Leon S. and Thelma Ione (Kimble) Watson in Fort Benton, Montana. Ken was the oldest of five children. He attended high school in Fort Benton, where he excelled in football during his high school years. Ken joined the Army after high school and served in Germany for two years where he was a heavy equipment operator, building bridges. After his Honorable Discharge, he moved back to Montana to marry his high school sweetheart, Judith Blanchard on August 12, 1956. They were married in Fort Benton and spent over 60 happy years together. The couple raised three children of their own and spent 10 years opening their home to 17 foster children.

Once married, Ken attended college at MSU Bozeman to become an Educator. He taught his first two years in Judith Gap, and then in 1964, moved to Rudyard. While in Rudyard, he worked as a farmer and taught physical education, math, and English at the high school. He also coached football, basketball, track and volleyball; he drove bus (someone had to drive to all those ball games!), taught drivers education, and worked as Athletic Director. Ken was dedicated to his students, his athletes, his school and community for over 40 years. In the summers, he would always make time to teach emergency driver's training at the Montana Defensive Driving School in Lewistown. He tried to retire from teaching five times, but they always got him to come back to work, whether it was getting him to substitute teach or begging him to coach. The kids loved Coach Watson. He mentored them, taught them, and would always let them into the gym day or night to practice.

Ken was an avid fisherman! He especially liked sitting on the dock by the Virgelle Ferry to fish. He also enjoyed hunting, playing pool, and attending his "Fine Arts Club". He had a great sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on his friends. He was kind and generous to everyone he knew, but most of all he cared for and loved his family.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his brother: Ronald Watson, and brother-in-law: Ken Moura.

He is survived by his wife Judith of 60 years; children: Jackie Watson (Russ Twedt) of Chester, James (Cheri) Watson of Bozeman, Barbara (Don) Wolfe of Chester, foster daughter: Peggy (Kerry) Aakre of Fort Peck; grandson: Travis (Tauna) Watson of Helena; granddaughters: Nikole Wolfe and Erin Wolfe of Chester; brothers: John (Lorraine) Watson of Helena and Gordon (Joann) Watson of Bozeman; sister: Leona Moura of Missoula; and several nieces and nephews.