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Longtime South Carolina retailer Hubert Watson dies

Operated Horry Furniture, Garden City Furniture

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 9, 2011

CONWAY, S.C. — Hubert C. Watson, a longtime retailer in this area, has died following an illness. He was 87.

Watson founded Horry Furniture here, which he operated until 1978 when he sold the business to the now-defunct Heilig-Meyers. He founded Garden City Furniture, based in Garden City Beach, S.C., in 1963. That store is now managed by his daughter, Dianne Ray.

Ray said her father never officially retired and was still involved in the store until about six years ago.

Watson was an active member of the Southern Home Furnishings Assn. and was its president in 1972-73. He was a recipient of the SHFA's highest honor, the Willis Award of Merit. He was also a director of the National Home Furnishings Assn., of which Ray currently is president.

Along with running his stores, Watson was a member of the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, among others, and a former president of his local Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to his daughter, survivors include two grandchildren, two sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 603 Elm St., Conway, S.C. 29526; the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital, 950 West Farris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605; or the Conway Medical Center Foundation, c/o Conway Medical Center, 300 Singleton Ridge Road, Conway S.C. 29526.

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Hubert C. Watson, Founded Two Stores in South Carolina

Feb 21, 2011

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