Gregory "Evil" Watson

Services celebrating the life of Col. Greogry Michael Watson, United States Air Force Reserve, 53, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, with the Rev. Kelly Berne officiating. Full military honors will be rendered. Burial will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Greg passed away Monday, June 15, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., following an aircraft accident. He was born April 28, 1973, to G. Michael Watson and Judy A. Fritzen, in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. He graduated from Normal Community High School in 1991, and was a 1999 graduate of Illinois State University. He earned his Master's Degree from George Washington University in 2007.

Col. Watson entered the Air Force in April 2001 after receiving his commission through Officer Training School. As a Master Combat Systems Officer, Greg had more than 3,200 flying hours in the B-52, and served in numerous roles, including Weapons System Officer instructor and evaluator. During his service, Greg deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and multiple U.S. IndoPacific Command Continuous Bomber Presence and Bomber Task Force missions.

After more than 14 years on active duty, Greg transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he served as an instructor, Chief of Inspections, Commander of the 307th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Commander of the 343rd Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, among other roles. He was most recently assigned to 10th Air Force at Joint Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas.

In his military role, Greg mentored countless young officers and enlisted members, serving not just as a leader, but as a role model and friend. An avid aviator, Greg earned his private pilot's license, and planned to fly in to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this summer for the EAA AirVenture Air Show - a "bucket list" event for him. As he looked toward military retirement, he also began working for the Boeing Corporation in a test role for new systems on the B-52, and was excited to be a part of modernizing and upgrading his favorite bomber.

On Dec. 30, 2014, Greg married the love of his life, Michele, and the two enjoyed doing life together, especially traveling, flying together and hiking anywhere mountains could be found.

Known by his callsign "Evil," his friends and family would say he was anything but. While he may have had a wicked sense of humor, his kind and gentle manner always made others feel like family, and he had a way of making everyone feel seen. He loved cheering on his Chicago Cubs and watching LSU football. While he joked that Michele tortured him in her yoga classes, he was a faithful attendee at Aspire Yoga, with the two of them inspiring others to push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of.

Greg was a long-time member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where his faith grew stronger every year. Most recently, he gained even more family by joining Shreveport-Bossier City's oldest Mardi Gras Krewe, the Krewe of Gemini, diving headfirst into Louisiana's Mardi Gras culture and spirit of fun, food and friendship.

While he relished all of these roles, none was more important to him than his role as a father. Greg cherished watching his children grow and thrive, with his youngest son, Alex, graduating from high school in May. He was extremely proud of all his children's accomplishments, and bragged on them endlessly.

Col. Watson is survived by his wife, Michele; his parents, G. Michael and Judy Watson; his children, Amanda M. Watson, Emily A. Watson, Allison E. Watson, Eric M. Watson and Alexander J. Watson; step-children Justin M.H. Dougherty and Kaitlin M. Dougherty; sister, Mandy Watson and brother, Aaron Watson.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jim and Lolly Watson, and his maternal grandparents, Cletis and Helen Fritzen.

A beloved son, brother, uncle, father, husband and friend, Greg is gone too soon, but he will never be forgotten.