Lillian (Watton) Maguire

Funeral services for Lillian (Watton) Maguire, of Bessemer, Ala., were held at 10 a.m. May 10, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hugo. Lilliam passed away May 1, 2022, at the age of 72.

Lillian (Watton) Maguire was born on April 7, 1950 in Forrest City, Ark., the daughter of Lloyd Watton and Lucille (Green) Watton. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Delores Fletcher.

Lillian married the love of her life, Errol Maguire in 1967 in Bainbridge, Ga. She was a musician and drummer and traveled for many years with various circus troops, including Sells & Gray Circus, The Cristiani-Wallace Bros. Circus, Bartok Circus, the Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus, and Great American Circus. In the later years of her circus career, Lillian was a manager in the concession department for Carson and Barnes Circus. Also, during her long outdoor show business career, she had concessions with Century 21 Shows, Roller Bros. Circus, and Murphy Bros. Exposition. Her travels during that time took her and her husband to Puerto Rico, the Republic of Panama and Venezuela. She and her beloved husband made Bessemer, Ala., their home base for more than 50 years. Lillian loved traveling and spending time with friends and family. Above all she loved her family, her church, her extended circus family, and most of all her dog, Molly. Lillian will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lillian is survived by her husband of 55 years, Errol; sons: Mark Maguire of Austin, Texas, and Jason Maguire and wife of Oneonta, Ala.; along with a host of other family and friends.

Interment took place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with Father Todd Nance officiating, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.