William Douglas Wathen, Sr., 83, of Mechanicsville, MD died February 18, 2008 in St. Mary's Hospital. Born October 20, 1924 in Clements, MD he was the son of the late William Ford and Catherine Harding Wathen. He was the beloved husband of Joan Marie Wathen whom he married in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD.

He is survived by his children: William Douglas Wathen, Jr. of Leonardtown, MD, Pamela Lynn Copsey, John William Wathen, Jr. and Michael Louis Wathen all of Mechanicsville, MD; siblings: Susie Howe of Clements, MD and James A. Wathen of Helen, MD; 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was also preceded in death by his 1st wife Loretta C. Wathen; daughter: Shirley Ann VanRyswick; siblings: John P. Wathen, Mitchell "Jigs" Wathen, Virginia Lusby, Wilmer Claude Wathen, Mary Harding, Agnes Copsey and James T. Wathen.

Mr. Wathen was a life long St. Mary's County resident where he graduated from St. Joseph's School, Class of 1939. He worked as a life time farmer and a school bus driver until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of the Farm Credit Bureau.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, with Prayers being said at 7:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD with Fr. Keith Woods officiating.

Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Shawn Wathen, Wayne VanRyswick, Bernard Leroy Copsey, Jr., James Douglas Copsey, Leonard VanRyswick, Bernard Leroy "Roy" Copsey, Sr., Danny Wathen and Wilmer Wathen. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Robert Morgan, Sonny Ryce, Leonard Wathen, John Wathen and Scott Superior.

Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 and/or Hospice of St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.