First Posted: 9/19/2012

John Howard and Billie Watson, of Rockingham, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Sept. 20, 2012.

They married in Rockingham on Sept. 20, 1947, and have made their home in Rockingham since. John retired after 50 years of self-employment as the owner of Watson Auto Sales and Body Repair, Billie, has not yet retired as a homemaker.

John and Billie have three children, Sandra Bailey and husband, Joel, of Cary, Gloria Edwards and husband, Dean, of Apex, and Howard Watson and wife, Retta, of Knoxville, Tenn. They have six grandchildren, Sandi Bailey, Shannon Bailey and wife, Wendi, Lisa Morgan and husband, Chad, the late Angela Watson, Crystal Bailey, and Ashley Watson, as well as eight great grandchildren, Connor, Meranda, Dylan, Austin and Logan Bailey, Alex Morgan, and Dana and Matthew Watson Morrison.

The couple will celebrate their 65 years together with a family dinner on Sunday, Sept. 23, and a trip to the North Carolina mountains this fall.