P. Donald Watson

Donald Watson of Wilmington, DE died Tuesday, December 5, 2017, in the Wilmington Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Don was born in Wilmington, DE, to Charles and Marcella (McMonigle) Watson. Don graduated from P.S. DuPont High School, the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and later with an MBA.

Don had a highly successful career at Hercules Powder Company, Allegany Ballistics Labs and the DuPont Company. Don considered his greatest career accomplishment, to be his time spent at Thiokol, as a Rocket Scientist, where he worked on the Gemini program for NASA, as well as, the Apollo program where he designed the Apollo Tower Jettison Motor, which aided in the launch of the Apollo Spacecraft to the moon.

Don was preceded in death, by his beloved wife of 50 years, Celeste and his brother Charles Robert. He is survived by his three children, son Dennis W. Watson (Marianne) of Landenberg, PA, his daughters, Karen A. Watson of Wilmington, DE and Nadine M. Lewis (Dave) of Newark, DE, his brother John J. Watson of Smyrna, DE, his grandchildren, Kyle (Lauren), Megan, Konrad, Kira, Brian, Christine and Zachary and great-granddaughter, Maycee.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Concord Pike and Sharply Road, Wilmington on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 11:00 am where friends and family may call beginning at 10:00 am. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association of Delaware, 200 Continental Drive, Suite # 101, Newark, DE 19713.