Kim (McGill) Watson, 52, of Panama, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hillsboro Junior High School, 909 Rountree Street. Private funeral services will be conducted. Assalley Funeral Home in Panama is assisting the family.
Ms. Watson was born Aug. 29, 1969, in Hillsboro, to Darrell and Loretta (Saathoff) McGill.
She graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1987, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in teacher education.
During her career, Ms. Watson taught at Waukegan and Hillsboro, with most of her teaching being in Hillsboro. Reading and writing were her loves and talents. She taught writing and language arts classes to help students better their education.
She was a scholar bowl coach, a youth leader at the Assembly of God Church in Sorento, and was selected as teacher of the year, as well as the Golden Apple Award.
Ms. Watson was a caring and supportive friend and mentor to all her friends, colleagues and anyone who needed her. She loved her family and her dogs, and cared for her friends and students like family. She will be sorely missed by all.
She is survived by her son, Dakota Watson of Panama; siblings, Jeanne (Tom Suess) Hockett of Bradenton, FL, Dwayne (Kim Swanson) McGill, Carol (Eugene) McCario, Judy Clemons, all of Panama, and Keith McGill of Belize; and boyfriend, Ron Kean of Litchfield.
Ms. Watson was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Kyra Seefeldt.
Memorials may be directed to the Supply Fund for HJHS. Checks to be payable to HJHS. This fund is near and dear to her heart, and the family would appreciate contributions to the fund in lieu of plants, flowers and other gifts. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
