Herbert E. Watson, Jr.

October 26, 2017
Herbert E. Watson, Jr.

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Herbert E. Watson, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2017.

He was a world-class musician, master of the baroque flute, singer, music arranger and composer, musical manuscript writer, a nature and animal lover, poet, and avid photographer. Some years before the local vineyards came to be, Herb was a hobbyist vintner producing some delicious wines.

Herb was born in Durham, North Carolina, to the late Herbert and Elsie Watson. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to Norfolk. He attended Granby High School, where he was a member of the marching band, playing clarinet, and was first seat in the State of Virginia. He attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk where he played recorder and studied music.

He started working at Colonial Williamsburg in March 1968, being an integral part of the Administration at Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums for many years. He was the quartermaster, chief calligraphist, draftsman of sheet music, keeper of the points list, person who handed out paychecks, purveyor of salt tablets prior to the start of hot summer performances, a guy you could talk to about the intricacies and nuances of Frank Zappa’s music. Corps members had great respect and fondness for “Mr. Watson” and then “Herb” as the members grew older.

Herb was First Chair with the Colonial Williamsburg Band of Music the years that the band was in existence. He was a musician with many Early Music groups on the peninsula, enjoying a great variety of musical experiences. For many years Herb was a musician and singer performing with The Governors Musick and playing for visitors in the various venues throughout the historic area. Since joining Colonial Williamsburg, he has played for every President, Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, and various heads of state.

He leaves behind his partner of 32 years, Diana Freedman, cousins, Jane Bales, Harold Black, Kenneth Eister, William Eister, Carlton Bryant, Barbara Barbee, Patricia Beasley, Gail Cooke, Linda McHaney and Sarah McHaney, his friends and colleagues at Colonial Williamsburg, the many friends he has made throughout the world, and all his beloved kitties.

Funeral arrangements are Monday, October 30, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Bucktrout Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery.


Service

Monday, October 30, 2017
1:00 PM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

Burial

Monday, October 30, 2017

Cedar Grove Cemetery - Directions
809 S. Henry Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185

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  • October 28, 2017
    Kris Fox Brown says:
    I already miss Herb's smiling face and his kind demeanor. Such a familiar figure around the historic area. It was truly a pleasure to have known him.

  • October 28, 2017
    Ed Allen says:
    A wonderful musician and a great human being....he will be missed.

  • October 28, 2017
    MARK LOGSDON says:
    Herb was always generous with his knowledge and with his arranging skills. He has always been a friend of the 1st Michigan and his loss is enormous to the music community.

  • October 28, 2017
    Fred Levy says:
    May his memory be a blessing.

  • October 28, 2017
    Cindy Gunther and Mary Wiseman says:
    Herb was such a wonderful and kind person who shared himself with all around him. The world will not be the same without him. Mary Wiseman shared many stories of their first years working together at C.W.F.