Obituary of Walter Lee Watts

Funeral services for Mr. Walter Lee Watts, age 84, of Bastrop, are scheduled for 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in the chapel of Golden Funeral Home with Huey Hughes and Kenan Irving officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Watts is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Watts; parents, Perry and Ina Watts; two sisters and four brothers. He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara Carroll and husband Charles of Calhoun, Vickie Thurmon and husband Billy of Swartz, son, Robert Watts and wife Kathy of Texarkana, TX; sister, Marie Rimes of Magnolia; grandchildren, Timothy, DeEtt, Kary, Na Tasha, Brad, Brandi, Benjamin, Anthony, April, Steven, Samantha and six great grandchildren. Walter Lee Watts was known by his colleagues, community, family, and congregation as a vibrant, accomplished, loving, and joyful man. A sharecropper’s son, he began his career at International Paper Mill in 1952, where he rose in the ranks to become Production Superintendent; retiring in 1989. During his off time, he was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, often fishing Bussy Break and trot lining the Mississippi. Family and friends who came to his home were always treated to pictures and books of his record catches. His grandchildren never missed an opportunity to go out fishing with ‘Papaw.’ However, his most prized catch was the love of his life, Frances. They met on a hayride where he was so struck by her beauty that he prematurely asked her for a kiss. Though initially Frances’ father didn’t like him, he walked five miles to see her every day and they were soon married and Walter became the favorite son-in-law. During his years, Walter never slowed down. A self-titled ‘Ramblin’ man, he spent hours driving through the Mississippi and Louisiana countryside visiting friends, family, and all the places where he had memories with Frances. He kept her memory alive growing huge ferns as she had, and feeding all the raccoons, deer, and wildlife on their beautiful property. He wasn’t the kind of grandfather to watch his grandchildren play, but instead hop on and swing with them – which is the perfect metaphor for how he always lived his life. He never slowed down and never sat still. He was a member of the Jehovah's Witness congregation in Bastrop LA and had the faith that one day there will be no more mourning nor pain (Revelation 21: 4). This is the faith that he lived and the time that he longed for, to be reunited in Paradise with his dear Franny. Serving as pallbearers are the six grandsons; Timothy Carroll, Brad Watts, Kary Carroll, Steven Dickman, Benjamin Watts and Anthony Watts. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 5 PM - 7 PM at Goldens.