William Joseph Watson ’38

An outstanding architect, Bill (a.k.a. "Duck") died Jan. 10, 2004, in La Jolla, Calif., from old-age-related ailments.

At Princeton he was active in Theatre Intime, the Glee Club, University Choir, and as president of Triangle Club. He graduated with highest honors and earned a master's degree at Harvard's Graduate School of Design. Serving in the Navy during WWII, Bill designed and built military airstrips in the South Pacific. He was a commander in the Naval Reserve.

Postwar, he constructed large urban projects in the SF area before moving to La Jolla as a managing partner of the firm that still bears his name: Mosher Drew Watson Ferguson. Bill designed a wing of the San Diego Fine Arts Gallery, several banks, and military installations. He was a director of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and vice president of what is now the Museum of Contemporary Art. He enjoyed a reputation as a man of great good humor, wit, and grace, and with flawless architectural judgment.

Duck is survived by his wife, Julia, sons Stephen and Kirk, and a sister, Dr. Laurie Raymond, to all of whom the class sends its sincere condolences.

The Class of 1938