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PEORIA — Sir James Watson slipped away at age 89 at 9:45 p.m. on Easter Sunday night, a man's life over, but a legacy immortal.
Watson was at times the face of Manual High School sports, as well as its heart, it's unshakable loyalty and legend in the South Peoria community.
If you were at a Manual sports event over the years, especially basketball or football, you were there with Sir James.
"It's so magical being able to rub elbows with someone like that," Manual boys basketball coach Marvin Jordan said. "Countless conversations. He kept my eyes locked on the importance of legacies.
"His will be unmatched."
Sir James Watson was around the Rams athletic programs for decades, coaching, officiating, advising, supporting. He was there at Jordan's back when the young coach took over the Manual basketball program.
"We had this thing when I took over as coach, he'd bring me a bottle of water before every game, home or away, didn't matter," Jordan said. "He'd call me and ask if there was anything he could do for me. One night, we're playing in Springfield, and I didn't think I'd see him down there. But next thing I know he's rolling up in his wheelchair with two bottles of water for me.
"I'd tell him 'I need you there, and I need my waters.' And he'd show up, water in hand. I get chills explaining it right now. When I first got the news he wasn't doing well, I was heartbroken our streak would be coming to an end."
South Peoria: Homegrown leadership for Manual basketball helps youth navigate surroundings
Jordan met Watson when he was 12, and the kid wanted to play on Watson's Manual JFL team because he wanted to play for Watson, already a legend in the community. Jordan was one of the fastest kids on the team. But Watson had other ideas for him, telling him he was going to be a lineman.
"He put me there, and I made his team and he wanted me to do this," Jordan said. "He let me know through hard work we could win games no matter what position I was at. That stuck with me for years. We kept that a part of our every-day approach with kids at Manual.
"Without him wanting to teach these things … he saw so much, did things the right way and all the relationships he has … It's mind-blowing that those days go by and we were with him, and now he's gone. A lot of us were lucky to call him friend."
Watson was know as "Sir James" to just about everyone who knew him. The story of that nickname goes back to the 1970s, when CB radios were popular.
James Watson built a base station at his house and signed up under a handle: "The White Knight," his son, Brian Watson said, laughing. "He knighted himself Sir James Watson."
Sir James went on to build a family and a legacy, with son Brian attending events where Sir James was officiating. James also spent a lot of time at Robertson Field House working a spotter for WMBD during Bradley basketball radio broadcasts.
"He was constantly involved in sports," Brian said."As a kid, wherever we went we'd run into someone who knew him. He became connected to so many people and used those connections to promote Manual High School and the south side community."
One time, Sir James was in New York City and went sight-seeing, taking the ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty.
"He got tapped on the shoulder by a guy who said, 'Are you Sir James Watson?' Brian said. "It was a coach from this area he'd worked a game for. Everywhere we went, someone knew him."
It was in March that his daughter, Torree Watson, was helping Sir James Watson get dressed for the Manual boys basketball team's first game as they headed to the IHSA Class 2A state finals.
" 'This is going to be my last championship, my last time, they got to do it,' " she said, recalling what Watson told her. "It didn't hit me then … but he knew."
Watson's children said he was battling kidney disease at the end, although his cause of death is not yet official.
Jordan had a similar conversation, which he looks back at a lot now.
'Extremely proud': Peoria Manual basketball blitzes its way back to IHSA state finals
"He mentioned to me on the road to state 'This journey is going to mean the most to me,' " Jordan said. "I think he was hinting that this was his last run. I'm so grateful we could send him out as a winner.
"It's so emotional, his one last final ride."
Those rides for Sir James Watson began when he graduated from what was originally known as Manual Training High School in 1955. The school found a new site — the one it occupies today — and built a new structure on it that opened in 1963, and Sir James made that transition, too.
Over the years he coached football and basketball, and was a longtime softball coach in programs at Proctor Recreation Center.
With Manual, Sir James served as a scorekeeper, and many other roles on the way to earning a special reserved seat in the venerable gym, marked by a sign in his name. He saw countless games, and athletes, and coaches and moments as Manual's proud history was being created.
"Sir James has been such an instrumental part of Manual and the south side of Peoria all my life," former Rams coach Derrick Booth said. "When I was a ballboy at age 10, Watson was already there. Being around him all those years and playing for Manual, becoming a coach and seeing him in Champaign at the state tournaments, always a positive source of encouragement and support. Such an impact on my life."
Booth said he remembered starting 0-7 at Manual, not an easy thing to endure at the historic program.
"I remember who was standing next to me after those losses," Booth said, "and it was often Sir James, telling me 'Keep working, it will be fine.' He was there throughout my career. His loyalty and dedication.
"My second year coaching he was very sick. I really didn't think he'd make it. I was thinking we needed to put his picture on the wall. And here he was, 20 years later still here. I remember Wayne McClain joking, teasing him, that Sir James got his picture on the wall before Wayne did."
Advocate for youth: Longtime Peoria educator embraces new role in health care system
Torree Watson's favorite story about Sir James is actually based on a photo. It shows him in an officials jersey, working at the officials table at Manual. Published by the Journal Star in a 2007 story, Sir James had what appeared to be a bracelet on his right wrist.
"Everybody thought it was a bracelet, wondered what it meant," she said. "But it actually wasn't a bracelet. It was an ID strap from the hospital. He left the hospital and went right to the game so he could work. He didn't even have time to take it off. That's how much he loved Manual. He just couldn't imagine missing a game."
Manual played a football game at Quincy years ago, while Sir James was getting some in-patient medical attention. He pestered Torree into helping him break out.
"It was years ago, he was in a rehabilitation center, I made a deal to sneak him out as long as he was back by 11," she said, laughing. "We got him out the back, got him into the car, and as soon as we got around the corner he said, 'I'm driving.' I didn't let him drive, but we got to the game and I had to speed all the way back to get him in before 11."
Said Jordan: "Sir James Watson was all things Rams. It didn't matter. He went and supported everything. Girls soccer, basketball, everything. He was around back then during all those championships, and he kind of built a home, was a big part of all that."
After high school, Watson worked as a chef until the company that owned the restaurant for which he cooked in Kankakee went bankrupt.
He moved on to a job with the State of Illinois unemployment office for 29 years before retiring in 1997. Along the way he started an officiating career in 1958, working games in baseball, basketball, softball and football, calling games until he was 68. Later, he worked at Madison Golf Course as a starter.
He was named the 2000 Neve Harms award for meritorious service by the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.
"He bled orange and black," Torree Watson said. "But there was always someone there to help get him out of the car no matter what school we went to. They'd roll out the red carpet for him. They respected him and he loved the (central Illinois) community."
Manual history: Two decades ago, Peoria Manual basketball capped its run of four straight IHSA state titles
Curley Boo Johnson, the former Harlem Globetrotters star and now operator of the annual Skills For Life Basketball Academy in Washington, was among many in the sports community to talk about Sir James Watson on Monday.
"It's almost selfish how much I'm going to miss seeing him," he said. "Especially something involving Manual. You expected to see him. But he'd come by my camp, or you'd see him at the Civic Center every year, or at the TOC.
"It already feels like something is missing. When you come back to Peoria you expect to see certain people. There are certain people that are so Peoria, and he's one of them."
Coaching icon Chuck Westendorf worked at places like Morton, Washington, Peoria High, and was part of Manual's four-peat basketball staff.
"Our sincere sympathy to your family," he posted on social media Monday. "Sir James was so special to everyone, friends, players, coaches, teachers, kids, etc. Over the years there (are) many stories of Sir James traveling with the basketball team out of state, hotels, restaurants, gyms, officials, etc. He was a legend everywhere we went.
"All the fans, coaches, from other teams were very familiar with him, respected what he did for the team keeping the book an just checking the correct numbers on the players uniform before the games in the locker room. Nobody ever did it as well as Watts. … He raised a great family."
Maybe that sign noting the seat reserved for Watson will remain on the wall at Manual. Yet things will be different for sure. "It's hard to see that gym, and those events, without him," Jordan said.
And that special seat will be empty at Manual now. No doubt, Sir James has one reserved at God's score table.
"Him being able to attend that state tournament, it was fitting for him to be there, sitting in his spot where he belonged, keeping the book," Brian Watson said. "He was on this earth for 89 years, and it's just incredible how he devoted his life to Manual and the community."
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Sir James Watson obit: Peoria Manual icon dies at age 89
Continue reading...
Watson was at times the face of Manual High School sports, as well as its heart, it's unshakable loyalty and legend in the South Peoria community.
If you were at a Manual sports event over the years, especially basketball or football, you were there with Sir James.
"It's so magical being able to rub elbows with someone like that," Manual boys basketball coach Marvin Jordan said. "Countless conversations. He kept my eyes locked on the importance of legacies.
"His will be unmatched."
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Sir James Watson was around the Rams athletic programs for decades, coaching, officiating, advising, supporting. He was there at Jordan's back when the young coach took over the Manual basketball program.
"We had this thing when I took over as coach, he'd bring me a bottle of water before every game, home or away, didn't matter," Jordan said. "He'd call me and ask if there was anything he could do for me. One night, we're playing in Springfield, and I didn't think I'd see him down there. But next thing I know he's rolling up in his wheelchair with two bottles of water for me.
"I'd tell him 'I need you there, and I need my waters.' And he'd show up, water in hand. I get chills explaining it right now. When I first got the news he wasn't doing well, I was heartbroken our streak would be coming to an end."
South Peoria: Homegrown leadership for Manual basketball helps youth navigate surroundings
Jordan met Watson when he was 12, and the kid wanted to play on Watson's Manual JFL team because he wanted to play for Watson, already a legend in the community. Jordan was one of the fastest kids on the team. But Watson had other ideas for him, telling him he was going to be a lineman.
"He put me there, and I made his team and he wanted me to do this," Jordan said. "He let me know through hard work we could win games no matter what position I was at. That stuck with me for years. We kept that a part of our every-day approach with kids at Manual.
"Without him wanting to teach these things … he saw so much, did things the right way and all the relationships he has … It's mind-blowing that those days go by and we were with him, and now he's gone. A lot of us were lucky to call him friend."
How Sir James Watson came to be
Watson was know as "Sir James" to just about everyone who knew him. The story of that nickname goes back to the 1970s, when CB radios were popular.
James Watson built a base station at his house and signed up under a handle: "The White Knight," his son, Brian Watson said, laughing. "He knighted himself Sir James Watson."
Sir James went on to build a family and a legacy, with son Brian attending events where Sir James was officiating. James also spent a lot of time at Robertson Field House working a spotter for WMBD during Bradley basketball radio broadcasts.
"He was constantly involved in sports," Brian said."As a kid, wherever we went we'd run into someone who knew him. He became connected to so many people and used those connections to promote Manual High School and the south side community."
One time, Sir James was in New York City and went sight-seeing, taking the ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty.
"He got tapped on the shoulder by a guy who said, 'Are you Sir James Watson?' Brian said. "It was a coach from this area he'd worked a game for. Everywhere we went, someone knew him."
'This is going to be ... my last time'
You must be registered for see images attach
It was in March that his daughter, Torree Watson, was helping Sir James Watson get dressed for the Manual boys basketball team's first game as they headed to the IHSA Class 2A state finals.
" 'This is going to be my last championship, my last time, they got to do it,' " she said, recalling what Watson told her. "It didn't hit me then … but he knew."
Watson's children said he was battling kidney disease at the end, although his cause of death is not yet official.
Jordan had a similar conversation, which he looks back at a lot now.
'Extremely proud': Peoria Manual basketball blitzes its way back to IHSA state finals
"He mentioned to me on the road to state 'This journey is going to mean the most to me,' " Jordan said. "I think he was hinting that this was his last run. I'm so grateful we could send him out as a winner.
"It's so emotional, his one last final ride."
Those rides for Sir James Watson began when he graduated from what was originally known as Manual Training High School in 1955. The school found a new site — the one it occupies today — and built a new structure on it that opened in 1963, and Sir James made that transition, too.
Over the years he coached football and basketball, and was a longtime softball coach in programs at Proctor Recreation Center.
With Manual, Sir James served as a scorekeeper, and many other roles on the way to earning a special reserved seat in the venerable gym, marked by a sign in his name. He saw countless games, and athletes, and coaches and moments as Manual's proud history was being created.
You must be registered for see images attach
"Sir James has been such an instrumental part of Manual and the south side of Peoria all my life," former Rams coach Derrick Booth said. "When I was a ballboy at age 10, Watson was already there. Being around him all those years and playing for Manual, becoming a coach and seeing him in Champaign at the state tournaments, always a positive source of encouragement and support. Such an impact on my life."
Booth said he remembered starting 0-7 at Manual, not an easy thing to endure at the historic program.
"I remember who was standing next to me after those losses," Booth said, "and it was often Sir James, telling me 'Keep working, it will be fine.' He was there throughout my career. His loyalty and dedication.
"My second year coaching he was very sick. I really didn't think he'd make it. I was thinking we needed to put his picture on the wall. And here he was, 20 years later still here. I remember Wayne McClain joking, teasing him, that Sir James got his picture on the wall before Wayne did."
Advocate for youth: Longtime Peoria educator embraces new role in health care system
A passion for orange and black
Torree Watson's favorite story about Sir James is actually based on a photo. It shows him in an officials jersey, working at the officials table at Manual. Published by the Journal Star in a 2007 story, Sir James had what appeared to be a bracelet on his right wrist.
"Everybody thought it was a bracelet, wondered what it meant," she said. "But it actually wasn't a bracelet. It was an ID strap from the hospital. He left the hospital and went right to the game so he could work. He didn't even have time to take it off. That's how much he loved Manual. He just couldn't imagine missing a game."
Manual played a football game at Quincy years ago, while Sir James was getting some in-patient medical attention. He pestered Torree into helping him break out.
"It was years ago, he was in a rehabilitation center, I made a deal to sneak him out as long as he was back by 11," she said, laughing. "We got him out the back, got him into the car, and as soon as we got around the corner he said, 'I'm driving.' I didn't let him drive, but we got to the game and I had to speed all the way back to get him in before 11."
Said Jordan: "Sir James Watson was all things Rams. It didn't matter. He went and supported everything. Girls soccer, basketball, everything. He was around back then during all those championships, and he kind of built a home, was a big part of all that."
A man honored and respected
After high school, Watson worked as a chef until the company that owned the restaurant for which he cooked in Kankakee went bankrupt.
He moved on to a job with the State of Illinois unemployment office for 29 years before retiring in 1997. Along the way he started an officiating career in 1958, working games in baseball, basketball, softball and football, calling games until he was 68. Later, he worked at Madison Golf Course as a starter.
He was named the 2000 Neve Harms award for meritorious service by the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.
"He bled orange and black," Torree Watson said. "But there was always someone there to help get him out of the car no matter what school we went to. They'd roll out the red carpet for him. They respected him and he loved the (central Illinois) community."
Manual history: Two decades ago, Peoria Manual basketball capped its run of four straight IHSA state titles
'Certain people are so Peoria'
Curley Boo Johnson, the former Harlem Globetrotters star and now operator of the annual Skills For Life Basketball Academy in Washington, was among many in the sports community to talk about Sir James Watson on Monday.
"It's almost selfish how much I'm going to miss seeing him," he said. "Especially something involving Manual. You expected to see him. But he'd come by my camp, or you'd see him at the Civic Center every year, or at the TOC.
"It already feels like something is missing. When you come back to Peoria you expect to see certain people. There are certain people that are so Peoria, and he's one of them."
Coaching icon Chuck Westendorf worked at places like Morton, Washington, Peoria High, and was part of Manual's four-peat basketball staff.
"Our sincere sympathy to your family," he posted on social media Monday. "Sir James was so special to everyone, friends, players, coaches, teachers, kids, etc. Over the years there (are) many stories of Sir James traveling with the basketball team out of state, hotels, restaurants, gyms, officials, etc. He was a legend everywhere we went.
"All the fans, coaches, from other teams were very familiar with him, respected what he did for the team keeping the book an just checking the correct numbers on the players uniform before the games in the locker room. Nobody ever did it as well as Watts. … He raised a great family."
A seat that can't be filled
Maybe that sign noting the seat reserved for Watson will remain on the wall at Manual. Yet things will be different for sure. "It's hard to see that gym, and those events, without him," Jordan said.
And that special seat will be empty at Manual now. No doubt, Sir James has one reserved at God's score table.
"Him being able to attend that state tournament, it was fitting for him to be there, sitting in his spot where he belonged, keeping the book," Brian Watson said. "He was on this earth for 89 years, and it's just incredible how he devoted his life to Manual and the community."
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Sir James Watson obit: Peoria Manual icon dies at age 89
Continue reading...
