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On the evening of Friday, September 18th, Alice Lloyd College held its 19th annual Alumna and Alumnus of the Year Banquet. This special event provides the College with an opportunity to honor two of its outstanding alumni and celebrate their lives of service and leadership. Family and friends were in attendance at the banquet, which was hosted inside the College’s historical Cushing Hall.

(L to R): Mrs. Joyce O'Qunn Watson, President Joe Stepp, and Mr. Billy Tuttle

(L to R): Mrs. Joyce O’Qunn Watson, President Joe Stepp, and Mr. Billy Tuttle

This year’s honorees were Mrs. Joyce O’Quinn Watson, Class of 1971, and Mr. Billy W. Tuttle, Class of 1961.

Biographies for Mrs. Watson and Mr. Tuttle follow:

        Joyce O’Quinn Watson is a native of Floyd County. One of nine children, Joyce grew up in a Bible-based family which believed that acquiring an education was essential to success in life. After graduating from ALC in 1971, Joyce went on to complete her BA in mathematics and German at Morehead State University. She received a graduate assistantship at Eastern Kentucky University, where she taught college algebra and completed her MA. Joyce also earned a Rank I in Secondary Education and an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership.

During Joyce’s 37-year career as a Floyd County educator, Joyce served as a resource teacher for Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP), and stepped forward to become one of the first Kentucky computer teachers in the 1980s. In the 1990’s worked to implement distance learning in her school. As the State Education Reform Movement was being implemented, Joyce represented the eastern region in numerous statewide initiatives including the Kentucky Mathematics Coalition and Kentucky Content Advisory Committees. After 20 years of exemplary teaching, she was appointed Director of Instruction for Floyd County Schools and was also selected to serve Kentucky as a Highly Skilled Educator. She retired in 2010; however, she continues to work for Scholastic, Inc. as a national mathematics consultant and for the University of the Cumberlands as a University Supervisor in their Masters of Education alternate certification program.

Joyce refers to her work as her life’s mission rather than her career. She attributes the enjoyment and success of her career to her parents’ belief in the importance of education and dedication to hard work.

Joyce has received numerous opportunities and honors. She was awarded the Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Society for Women Educators International and State Scholarships, the Kentucky Mathematics Education Service Award, and she is included in the Kentucky Association for Academic Competitions Hall of Fame. In addition, Joyce served on the curriculum committee for the Challenger Learning Center and the judging team for the Center’s annual robotics competition. Joyce is a member of the Hueysville Church of Christ and attests that having a personal relationship with God has provided an anchor for her life’s decisions.

Joyce Watson and Family

Mrs. Joyce Watson and Family

Her greatest enjoyment in life is her beloved family. Joyce and her husband, Neil Stanton Watson (class of 1971), have two children, daughter Heather (Bob Fleu) and son Brett Watson (Nicole), and two beautiful granddaughters, Kiley and Willow Leigh, who are great sources of joy in their lives today.

Joyce is a wonderful ambassador for Alice Lloyd College who passionately shares her love for the school and its impact on her life. Joyce taught Upward Bound classes for five summers at ALC, has served as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors, and is an active member of the ALC Floyd County Alumni Chapter. There is no doubt that Joyce O’Quinn Watson is a servant leader and an inspiration to others, and her life beautifully exemplifies the school’s Purpose Road Philosophy.


        Billy W. Tuttle is a native of Floyd County and a graduate of McDowell High School. Bill continued his educational journey at Caney Junior College, where he graduated with an Associate Degree in 1961. He went on to attend both Morehead State College and Eastern Kentucky State College, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology in 1965. He also furthered his education with graduate work at Eastern Kentucky University and advanced Tool Design Studies at the International Correspondence School and Advanced Automation in New York.

Bill began working for Sylvania Lighting Electric in 1965, when the company was still in its early stages of growth; now it is one of the leading manufacturing companies in North America. He served Sylvania for 38 years, and his professional accomplishments included the innovation and development of a longer life light bulb, a more reliable air bag switch in vehicles, and a better method of gold mining in South Africa. Bill retired in June 2003 but continues to be active with industrial design and automation. He has received three patents for his inventions and continues to work on developing potential patents.  

A dedicated civic and community leader, Bill served 25 years as a church deacon. He has taken on leadership positions that allow him to work closely with the youth of his community, serving as the chair of the Clark County Boy Scouts and mentoring groups of young people in a variety of activities. Bill formed a company, The Hobbye Shop, to provide work for the Boone Adult Work Shop Activities Center, a sheltered workshop group which manufactures his patented products.

Billy Tuttle Family

Mr. Bill Tuttle and Family

The most cherished aspect of Bill’s life is his family. He and his wife, Margie, have been married for 51 years. They have a daughter, Laura, who is a constant source of joy to them. The Tuttles reside in Burlington, Kentucky.

As one of Alice Lloyd College’s most faithful ambassadors and supporters, Bill’s contributions are of great generosity and devotion. He is currently a member of the Alumni Board of Directors, and is active in the Ohio Alumni Chapter. Bill has provided financial support to some of the College’s major campus projects, as well as assisting individual students. He has also been an integral figure in the development of ALC’s Entrepreneurship Program. Grateful for the opportunities that ALC provided him, Bill comments: “There are great Biblical truths in ALC’s Purpose Road Philosophy. These principles helped me to grow as a person, take on responsibility, develop my career, and confront the many challenges that I have faced in life. Overall, I learned that one person can make a difference in the lives of many others.” Bill’s selfless nature and innovative spirit have immeasurably contributed to the betterment of society, and his accomplishments are firmly rooted in the personal innovation that occurred within Bill along his Purpose Road journey.