Michael Alan Watson

Michael Alan “Mike” Watson, age 78, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025 in the care and comfort of his family at Bethany House. He was born on July 30,1947 in Gainesville, Florida, to Joseph Berton Watson Jr. DVM, and Frances Bailey. A courier of good will and compassion, he grew up in Trenton, FL before moving to Auburn to attend Auburn University where earned a Bachelor of Arts. He was active in student government, ROTC, the Auburn University Marching Band, and many other organizations and activities. After graduating from Auburn he was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy where he served five years rising to the rank of Lieutenant.  He served as a supply officer on the amphibious assault aircraft carrier USS Guam with deployments to the Mediterranean and Peru, where he assisted in relief following the Ancash earthquake. He finished his service teaching at the Naval Supply School in Athens, GA. Upon leaving the US Navy, he began a 33 year career in telecommunications with the Bell companies, first with Southern Bell as manager of line crews, district manager in Wilmington, NC, various roles with Bell Labs in Morristown, NJ, finally returning to the Atlanta area where he retired from AT&T as Senior Director of Public Relations and Regulatory Commissions.  After a brief stint as a fundraiser for Auburn University Athletics’ Tigers Unlimited program, he assumed the role of CEO of the Wesley Woods Foundation, a non-profit serving older adults in association with Emory University & Hospital. Always looking to help others, engage, and make connections between people, he served in many volunteer organizations, including BellSouth Pioneers where he was Region Vice President over 9 states and led many large scale volunteer efforts with entities such as Habitat for Humanity, the BellSouth Foundation as CEO, USO Georgia as State Chairman where he served to strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America’s militaries and their families, and the Metro Fire Association in Atlanta where he and others provided support to his favorite cause and hobby, all things related to fire departments, fire engines, and emergency response.  He was also a Stephen Ministry leader. In addition to these roles, he graciously served his beloved alma mater, Auburn University, in the capacity of Vice President of the Auburn University Alumni Board as well as serving on the Auburn University Foundation Board. He was married to his loving wife Cynthia “Cindy” Miller on August 10, 1996 at Peachtree United Methodist in Atlanta, GA, where they resided before moving to Franklin, NC, then Auburn, AL in 2019 where he continued his service in Rotary Club and was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Choir as well as various committees at the church. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, son Kevin Owen Watson and his wife Maran White, grandchildren Rylee, Owen, Oliver, and Clara, brothers Joe Craig Watson and Jonathan Adam Watson. He is preceded in death by his sister Patricia Claire Watson and brother Jon Bailey Watson. A memorial service will  be held at Auburn United Methodist Church at 3pm on Sunday, November 9, 2025, with visitation at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bethany House, AUMC, or the charity of your choice.