Rev. Watson Haynes, II, President and CEO of Pinellas County Urban League, Dies at 69

ST. PETERSBURG – The Pinellas County Urban League (St. Petersburg, FL) has lost its leader.

Reverend Watson Haynes, II, President and CEO of the Urban League since 2012, passed away on the evening of Saturday, August 20th.

There was an outpouring of love and respect from many at news of his passing.

“Today our community mourns the loss of a great man,” U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who went to high school with Haynes, wrote in a statement. “Reverend Watson Haynes was a humble public servant, someone who woke up each and every day with a commitment to fight for freedom, justice, and equality for his neighbors in Pinellas County. But above all, he was my dear friend.”

Rev. Haynes was one of seven children, born of a single mother who was determined to see her children succeed. Throughout his childhood, he would be visited almost weekly by Rev. Enoch Davis, the great civil rights activist who would talk about equality and the importance of community service.

Haynes would later say, “I never understood why he chose me out of the other kids. But I look back now and I am grateful.”

He would go on to get a bachelor’s in business education, becoming the President and CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League in 2012. He served as chaplain for a chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, as well as a minister for the New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Haynes was presented with the keys to the city of St. Petersburg last year, the highest honor given to a civilian.

Then-Mayor Rick Kriseman said, “I’m hard-pressed to think of an area where the voice and the work of Watson Hayes has not been heard and felt.”

Current St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, in a written statement, said, “Watson was a counselor, advisor, peacemaker and bridgebuilder. We are forever thankful for his lifelong example of principled leadership.”

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