Nicholas D. Watson

Nicholas D. Watson, 48, of Rock Island, Illinois, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at home with his loving family by his side.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. The family invites friends to continue celebrating Nick’s life on Sunday, August 23, at the Sherrard Fire Department. The celebration will begin with a formal service at 1:00 p.m. and family will continue to greet friends at the fire department all afternoon. Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Nick’s memory.

Nicholas David Watson was born March 29, 1978, in Moline, the son of Frazier George “Bud” and Lois Esther (Klingebiel) Watson. He was a 1996 Sherrard High School graduate, where he played football and basketball. He spent most of his working life as a heavy equipment operator with Helm and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.

On October 3, 2019, Nick married the love of his life, Ronni Jones, in Aledo. He had previously been married to Alison Smith, with whom he had two sons, Layne and Hayden, before their separation.

Nick’s greatest passion was serving others as a volunteer firefighter. He volunteered with nearly all of the rural fire departments in the area, but his true home was the Sherrard Fire Department. He proudly served there for many years, retiring as Assistant Chief two years ago. He was a respected and beloved member of the firefighting community.

When he wasn’t helping others, Nick loved spending time with his family, especially boating and fishing.

Nick will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Ronni Watson; his children, Quesean Ford of Rock Island, Hunter (Terry Davis) Erickson of Tucson, Arizona, Layne (Jace) Watson of Colona, Illinois, Hayden Watson of Rock Island, and Tristan (Tyler Tafoya) Erickson of Geneseo, Illinois; his grandson, Cyril Davis; his parents, Lois and Bud Watson of Summerfield, Florida; siblings, Kim (Joe) LaCognata of Belleview, Florida, and Jim (Tiffanie) Watson of Keller, Texas; father-in-law, Rick (Christi) McMeekan; sisters-in-law, Abbi and Ashley Wilson and their family; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Dee McMeekan; paternal grandparents, Frazier and Agnes Watson; maternal grandparents, Lewis and Thelma Klingebiel; and aunts and uncles, Connell and Harold Watson, Roberta Patterson, Ramona McMeekan, and Florence Lude.

Nick leaves behind a lifetime of memories and the lasting legacy of a man who was always willing to lend a hand, answer the call, and be there for those who needed him.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.