Former Vidalia residents killed

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 12, 1999

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Tuesday afternoon for two former Vidalia residents who were stabbed to death Monday in their apartment in Baton Rouge, La.

William &uot;Steve&uot; Watson, 39, and Michael Parker, 36, were found at 9 a.m. Monday by Baton Rouge police. Both had been stabbed several times and were thought to have died between 1 and 2 a.m.

A third roommate had not been found and no arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon.

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Comer Funeral Home of Ferriday will handle arrangements for Watson. Community Funeral Home of Winnsboro, La., will handle arrangements for Parker.

Family members of Parker and Watson could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

A friend of Parker and Watson, who asked that her name not be used, described the two as &uot;just fun to be around&uot; and said were good singers during the time they attended Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church.

&uot;The only thing I&160;remember is that Mike was a little more ongoing than (Watson),&uot;&160;added Fred Marsalis, who taught science and coached at Vidalia High when Parker and Watson were students there.

&uot;But I&160;would describe them as average students – nothing out of the ordinary.&uot;

Baton Rouge Councilwoman Roxson Welch taught with Watson at the city’s Baker Heights Elementary School, where Watson taught fifth grade.

&uot;He had a gentle spirit about him,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;He was willing to stay after school with the kids and kept them in at recess if they needed extra help.&uot;

The Associated Press contributed to this report.