“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth …. Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”
Services celebrating the life of Col. Gregory Michael Watson, United States Air Force Reserve, 53, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, with the Rev. Kelly Berne officiating. Full military honors were rendered. Burial will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
Colonel Watson was 1 of 8 Torch 11 crew members that perished when the B-52 they were flying during a test mission crashed shortly after take-off on Monday, June 15 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
He was born April 28, 1973, to G. Michael Watson and Judy Fritzen Watson in Normal. 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 family and friends 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, Oklahoma, Illinois and Illinois State. 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.
No role 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 Watson, Bloomington, and Judy Watson, Normal, sister, Mandy Watson, West Peoria; brother, Aaron (Lydia) Watson, Bloomington, his children, Amanda M. Watson, New York, Emily A. Watson, California, Allison E. Watson, Louisiana, Eric M. Watson, Oklahoma and Alexander J. Watson, Louisiana, and their mother, Holly Ward, Louisiana, step-children Justin M.H. Dougherty, Minnesota, and Kaitlin M. Dougherty, Louisiana; uncles and aunts Jeff (Judy) Fritzen, Normal, Gary (Robin) Watson, Morton, and Edie (Tom) Cohoon, Norman, Ok; and, numerous cousins, a niece and 2 nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jim and Lolly Watson, and his maternal grandparents, Cletis and Helen Fritzen.
A beloved husband, son, brother, father, uncle and friend, Greg is gone too soon, but he will never be forgotten.
The family will host a gathering in Bloomington-Normal for family and friends at a later date.