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Obituary for Illya Watson
A Memorial Service for Illya Watson will occur Saturday, November 13, 2021 at
Wood Funeral Home 5537-39 West Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131
Memorial Service: 11 AM
The Obituary:
We request family and friends who prefer to send plants or flowers, to coordinate with one of the following reliable local florists:..
Illya Kuryakin Watson, Sr affectionately known as Ell, was born on December 12, 1966, to Anthony H. Watson and Brenda A. Watson in Philadelphia, Pa. He was introduced to Jehovah God as a young boy and often called on his name. Ell was educated in the Philadelphia public school system. He played football for the “castle on the hill,” as Overbrook High was known in the community.
Illya was employed as a machinist at S&G Bagel and Chip Warehouse. Illya was united in marriage to Tonia Brasby in 1987. In the late 1990’s he moved to Binghamton, New York. He began working for the Historical Society, renovating and restoring historical sites.
Illya was known for his family get-togethers. Often they lasted into the early morning hours. The oldies would be playing. He would play pinnacle with his family, hoping he wouldn’t get his head rubbed. Family, friends, and neighbors were welcomed to eat, dance, and enjoy themselves. If he wasn’t in the kitchen or talking to family, he enjoyed dancing with his daughters and his nieces.
Ell was a huge sports and Eagles fan. He attended football games with his kids at his sides. Even more so, he loved attending his sons, Lj, Carter, and Keaton’s football games. If you didn’t keep an eye on him, he’d be out on the field as the unofficial referee. He made the football games a family event. All of his children Eric, Darnell, Demetrius, Nicole, Tiosha, Lj, Carter, Jordan, and Keaton, were at some point on the bleachers, cheering for the siblings in the cold and rain. They brought him the greatest joy. His children and family were the loves of his life. He always looked for the good and positive in his children, family, and friends.
When life became stressful, he would call his parents for advice. Then he’d set out for Albany to sit and relax with his brother Zach and sister-in-law Ronnie. She would listen to his worries and troubles then cook a delicious meal. He loved spending time with his nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children.
Illya fell asleep in the death in the early morning hours of October 15, 2021. He was 54 years old. While we consider that to be entirely too shortyt of a time, he has amassed memories and stories that will last forever. He was preceded in death by his sister Nikisha Watson, Uncles: Willie, Zanvester, George “Bubby”, Jimmy and Gilbert; Aunts, Obra, Wanda, Christine, Gertrude and Edith, and his sister-in-law Jeanette Watson.
He leaves to mourn his death, his parents Anthony and Brenda Watson, children Eric Lee, Darnell Watson, Demetrius Watson, Nicole Mitchel, Tiosha Rainey “Greedy Gurt,” Illya K. Watson Jr., Carter, Jordan, and Keaton Spawn, his grandchildren Niyaja, Sahniya, Jakai, Darnell Jr, Kamaiyah and Kal-El; his sisters Ryesheda Sims and Nyema, his brothers Anthony (Sherre), Harvey, Zachary (Veronica), Brendan and Willie “Dink.” He also leaves to cherish his memory Kathy “Kitty Kat,” Jeff and Mondo and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Have the florist deliver your selection to the church no later than 8:30 a.m. the day of the service.
DUE TO A GLITCH IN OUR SYSTEM PLEASE DISREGARD THE FOLLOWING NOTATION REGARDING ANY ORDERS INCLUDING FLOWERS, CANDLES OR MEMORIAL TREE PLANTINGS WITH THE TRIBUTE
