Background
Watterson was the son of Peter Francis Watterson and his wife Louise Mohr Watterson.
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Peter Watterson
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He attended Bard College from which he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Career
Watterson received his theological education from Philadelphia Divinity School from which he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1955 and a Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1957. From 1955 to 1957 he was assistant at Saint John Parish in Norristown, Pennsylvania. From 1957 to 1958 he was Vicar of Redeemer Parish in Avon Park, Florida.
From 1960 to 1977 he was Rector of Holy Spirit Parish in West Palm Beach, Florida.
In the 1970s Watterson was active in the organization Episcopalians for a Right to Life, a predecessor to Anglicans for Life. On December 16, 1977, the Diocese of the Southeast United States was organized and Watterson was elected its first bishop.
Then Doren joined Chambers and Pagtakhan in consecrating Watterson together with Robert South. Morse and James O. Mote. In August 1978 the 11th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops was held in Canterbury.
Although not formally invited, Watterson did appear at the conference on one day.
The assembly faced a disagreement over issues of church government, particularly the authority of bishops. Although Watterson originally voted with Doren and Mote, he eventually joined with Morse to form a separate body. In 1984 Watterson resigned as bishop of the Diocese of the Southeastern United States.
In August 1987 he was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Palm Beach in accordance with the Pastoral Provision for former Episcopalians.
