Scholarship Donor - AIT

Donor Since: 2002
Number of Scholarships: 1
Scholarship Information: Bill (Curly) Watson Memorial Scholarship

History:
Bill (Curly) Watson was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England on May 1, 1907, and moved to Calgary in 1909. He was raised in Bridgeland and attended Stanley Jones School. "Curly" as he was best known, started in the plumbing business in 1927 with Trotter and Morton Ltd. He was in the first class of plumbers to go through the Alberta Apprenticeship and Trade School, receiving certificate No. 1 for plumbers in the province of Alberta in 1930.

On October 18, 1930, he married Catharine Hays and for the next sixty-seven years they raised their large family. In 1954, Bill, two of his sons, Bud and Don, and Bob Worden purchased Trotter and Morton Ltd. Bill was President until his retirement in 1972.

Bill's accomplishments include serving as President of the Calgary Construction Association, and the Calgary and Alberta Mechanical Contractors Association. In 1994, he was presented with the Ted Walden Award for his outstanding contributions and dedication to the Calgary Construction Association.

He was a strong supporter of the apprenticeship system in Alberta and of any kind of training for young people. Bill often said, "a certificate is a very light piece of baggage, but is the most important for a young person to have and carry."

Bill provided an excellent example of what can be achieved through dedication, hard work and honour. Bill had the ability to see good in everyone he met. His trust and belief in people was returned tenfold. He was a man of great integrity and an inspiration to others.

Bill's three sons and his daughter sponsor this award:

Bud Watson: Professional Mechanical Engineer, Past President of Trotter and Morton, the Calgary Construction Association, the Alberta Mechanical Contractors Association, and recipient of the Ted Walden Award.

Don Watson: Master Plumber, Past Secretary-Treasurer of Trotter and Morton, Past President of the Calgary and Alberta Mechanical Contractors Associations. Don served on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board for three years and the Local Apprenticeship Committee and the Provincial Apprenticeship Committee for twenty years. Don was the representative for Canada's World Plumbing Council 1990 to 1993.

William Watson: Journeyman Steamfitter, and Mechanical Superintendent for several large construction companies in Portland, Oregon.

Terry Blasetti: A daughter who loved her father very much, and who supported him in all his endeavors whether they were in the family or industry.