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Submitted: 4/3/14 • Approved: 4/3/14 • Last Updated: 4/9/14 • R993356-G0-S3
US Navy
World War II
June 14, 1925 - April 2, 2014
Born Calico Rock, Izard County, Arkansas
Died Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas
Son of Lester & Ruby Hunt Watts
Married Betty Coburn, March 8, 1947, Calico Rock, Izard County, Arkansas
Obituary from Eddie's Family Funeral Home Website:
Thurl Lester Watts, Sr., son of the late Lester Watts and Ruby Hunt Watts, was born June 14, 1925 in Calico Rock, Arkansas. He departed this life April 2, 2014 in Melbourne, Arkansas at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 19 days. He was united in marriage to Betty Coburn on March 8, 1947 in Calico Rock, Arkansas and to this union three children were born. He spent his life as a son, brother, husband, soldier, father, grandfather, great grandfather, provider and friend. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, assigned to the U.S.S. Copahee. He was employed as a lineman for L. E. Myers Construction and in Bethlehem Steel in Beaumont, Texas. He was a 65 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and a member of the Arcadia Masonic Lodge in Calico Rock. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law: Thurl Watts, Jr and wife Donna of Calico Rock; two daughters and one son-in-law: Phyllis Watts of Austin, Texas and Patty and Lex Ramsey of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren: Aimee Watts of Calico Rock, Maryann Russell of Calico Rock, Lex Ramsey of Austin, Texas and Kim Blackwell of Austin, Texas; five great grandchildren: Geoffrey Watts, Avery Russell, Ramsey Blackwell, Lex Ramsey and Zachary Ramsey and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Betty Coburn Watts; one brother: Aubrey Watts and one sister: Erma Smith.
Graveside funeral service will be Friday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m. at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico Rock. Visitation will be Friday, April 4 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Calico Rock Funeral Chapel in Calico Rock.
Pallbearers: Steve Hicks, Jerry Meinzer, Geoffrey Watts, Jr. Watts, Avery Russell, Lex Ramsey.
Memorials may be made to: Izard County Senior Citizens Center, #30 Chapel Hill Road, Brockwell, AR 72517.
(Photo by the late Vera Reeves)
Contributed on 4/3/14 by maxparnell
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Record #: 993356