Nearly a thousand people paid touching tributes at the funeral of a “caring and selfless” local firefighter who died suddenly.
Steven Watson (43) passed away peacefully on April 6 at Ninewells Hospital with his parents and fiancée Carol by his side.
The Crieff father-of-two died having found out he had bilateral clots in both lungs just six weeks ago.
Steven’s family and friends were joined by crews from both Perth and Crieff fire stations, where he served, in paying their last respects at Perth Crematorium on Wednesday.
‘Wattie’, as many called him, is survived by devoted partner Carol and his daughters Aimee (15) and Holly (13).
“He was caring, funny and selfless,” Carol said. “He was always smiling and would stop and chat to everyone.
“He was always willing to help anyone.
“Steven made many friends during his term served with the Fire and Rescue Service and considered them all as part of his/our family.
“Steven was fully committed to his role as a firefighter. We were all very proud of what he had achieved.
“Steven was so proud of his daughters, he was a great father and did everything for them.
“He was very supportive and the girls knew they could always talk to him about anything.”
Steven was a postman in Crieff for around 20 years during the time he became a retained firefighter with Crieff Fire Service.
He found out he had been successful as a full-time firefighter whilst on a family holiday in Florida celebrating his 40th birthday.
He started at Kingsway Amber Watch in Dundee and then transferred to Perth Amber Watch, whilst still being retained in Crieff.
Steven was an active sportsman and enjoyed playing football in his younger days for Strathearn amateur side Vale of Earn.
Vale and Auchterarder Primrose players held a minute’s silence on the pitch for Steven before their match on April 25.
Steven was also a member of the Crieff Golf Club for 34 years, a keen cyclist and loved walking his dog Daisy.
Carol called his well-attended funeral a “perfect and comforting” send off.
“The fire service lined up outside, Piper Daniel Sweeney played the pipes and he was brought in by six firefighters from Perth and Crieff, with his gaffer carrying his helmet,” she recounted.
“Lifetime reflection service celebrant Douglas Smith conducted the service and his words were so sincere that they made you cry and smile remembering his life.
“The crematorium was packed inside and out and it was said there was just under a thousand people showing their support.
“This definitely shows how well-known and liked Steven was.”
Donations to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust were welcomed as an expression of sympathy, in place of flowers.
Carol added: “Everyone continues to support me and my girls especially the fire service and the Firefighters Charity Family Support.
“The amount collected at his funeral for the firefighter charity in total was £821.51.”
SFRS local senior officer for Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee, Jason Sharp, said: “Firefighter Steven Watson was a friend to many and valued part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue family, who served and protected our communities for eight years.
“He was well known in his local village of Crieff.
“Always having time for anyone who needed it, he was well thought of, and this was shown by the large turnout of the local community who lined the route for him out of Crieff.
“He was always first if anything needed done, whether for his friends, community or the fire service.
“Steven’s firefighting career was really important to him with his commitment reflected by the number of colleagues attending his service.
“Steven served his local community, as an On Call Firefighter, in Crieff since 2015 and also as a Wholetime Firefighter in 2020, firstly at Amber Watch at Kingsway East Community Fire Station, Dundee and latterly the Amber Watch at Perth Community Fire Station.
“He attended many incidents throughout his career, large and small, serving and supporting community members when they most needed it.
“He will be a huge loss to the service.
“Steven was a loving and devoted family man, with fiancée Carol and daughters Aimee and Holly.
“Our thoughts remain very much with Steven’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad and difficult time.”
Many people in the Perth and Crieff communities took to social media to pay their respects to Steven.
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