BOMBER MEMORIAL

ROBERT EARL "BOB" WATTS ~ Honorary Class of 1951
June 26, 1933 - August 27, 2014

~

Robert Earl Watts (Bob) passed away August 27, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. Robert was born on June 26, 1933, to Earl and Margaret (Burt) Watts in Butte, Montana. The Watts family moved to the Tri-Cities in 1942. The Watts boys and their sister were well known in the Tri-Cities.

Bob was with the class of 1951, but joined the Marines when he was 17 and in his senior year of high school. He obtained his GED when he was in the service. He served proudly in the Marine Corps and spent most of his time in Korea during the war. Bob was awarded several medals for conspicuous gallantry in that conflict.

When he came home he went to work at the railroad for eighteen years before he retired to work a lead reclaiming business with his dad who developed several types of mining equipment to do the job. Bob took over the business and worked at it till his death.

Bob joins his wife, Monica (NAB); parents, Earl and Margaret Watts; his sister, Shirley ('49); brother, David ('56); and son, Steve (NAB), to be with the Lord.

He leaves behind him his brother, Jim ('54) and his wife, Sharon Templeman Watts ('55); sons, Brad (NAB) and his wife, Kris Watts, and Mike (NAB) and his wife, Ronda Watts; daughters: Cherle Brock, Laura Gonzales, Vicki Watts Castleberry ('85) and her husband, Jim Castleberry (HHS '83), Suzy Nuest ('77) and Julie Nuest Trent ('74); and sister-in-law, Nancy Franklin Watts ('58). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Arron and Jade Brock, Dustin Watts, Jake Goodenow, Kelly Castleberry ('09), Jamen Trent, Jillian Erickson and Deanna McKee; great-grandchildren: Railyn, Kennedy, Jack, Breanna, Jackson, Loagan, Stella and Grady; and nephews: Kerry Watts ('76), Kurk Watts ('78) and Bret Watts (NAB). He also is survived by his longtime friends: Beverly McCleary Rafferty ('49), Anna McCleary Williams ('51), Dona McCleary Belt ('54) and Howard McCleary ('61.)

In honor of Bob's request there will be no service. Any donations can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Semper Fidelis, Pureheart.

Published in Tri-City Herald on September 3 and 4, 2014.

Legacy.com Guest Book until October 3, 2014.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).