Avis V. Watson

Avis Vern Watson, 89, of Independence, Missouri passed away on August 16, 2026 at home of natural causes, surrounded by his children.

Visitation will be Saturday September 26, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 and Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 at the Church Of Christ, 15331 E. 39^th Street, Independence, Missouri. A private family burial will take place at 1:30 at Longview Cemetery, 12700 SE Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO. Memorial Contributions may be made to: ACG Hospice through CarnationFoundation.Org or by mail to: ACG Hospice, P.O. Box 37, Lexington, SC 29071.

Avis was born on February 24, 1937 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. He married his teenage sweetheart Lillian LaVerne Adams in Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1955 and they celebrated nearly 48 years together. Following her death, he was married to Kay Clark in 2003 and they celebrated nearly 23 years together.

Avis served as a deacon, then later as an elder of 39^th Street church of Christ for many years. He also enjoyed teaching Bible classes and private “cottage meetings” to share the gospel. He was President of Avis Booth Company, Inc., a company he founded and ran from 1959 until it was sold in 1993. After selling Avis Booth Company, he became a master at repairing watches and clocks of all kinds and won the hearts of customers all around the Kansas City area.

He loved playing guitar and singing country music, especially in his younger years. He was a private pilot and loved flying around in his Beechcraft Bonanza with family and friends. He had a passion for antique cars and was always ready to give rides to his grandchildren and guests of the Airbnb that he and Kay hosted for more than three years. No one was a stranger to Avis.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Levi and Velma Watson; his six brothers: Franklin, Clifford, Wilford, Wallace, Vibert and Merl; his wife LaVerne, and granddaughter Lindsay Elaine McCune.

He is survived by his wife Kay, his children Debi Higgins & husband Bruce, Tami Eschbacher & husband Mike, Randy Watson & wife Beth, Karen Dills, Linda McCune & husband Duane, step-son Tracy Clark & wife Caroline; and many grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri