William "Bill" Watts Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

William “Bill” Stevens Watts, Sr, 81, of St. Joseph died at his home on Thursday, August 25, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. A Mass celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM on Monday, Aug 29, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. The burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The visitation with his family will be from 2 PM to 5 PM on Sunday, Aug 28, at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor where a Prayer Service will be held at 4:30 PM on Sunday. Memorials may be made to the SS John and Bernard Parish and the Lake Michigan Catholic Schools. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net. Bill was born on June 12, 1935 in Benton Harbor to Robert and Katherine (Stevens) Watts. He married Winifred Ward in 1960 and together they have celebrated 56 years of marriage. Bill proudly served his country in the US Army as a paratrooper. He was a master electrician and worked at Cook Nuclear Plant for many years. Bill was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the IBEW Local 153 for 55 years, and the Knights of Columbus. He established in 1996 the Eucharistic Adoration at the SS John and Bernard Parish and continued it for the last 20 years. Bill also distributed the Medjugorje messages that were in the newspaper every month for the last 25 years. He had a very strong spiritual side and was a daily communicant for over 30 years. He was an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed hunting, bowling, wrestling, football and other sports. He enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in all their sporting activities. But most of all, he loved his wife and his family and enjoyed spending time with them. His family includes his wife, Winn; his children, Theresa Stutz of Benton Harbor, Kathleen (Ron) Bush of Cassopolis, William S. (Sherrie) Watts, Jr. of Huntville, Alabama, Cynthia (Phil) Sirk of Stevensville, David Watts of Grand Rapids, Shaun (Trista) Watts of St. Joseph, Jennifer (Jason) Krumroy of Galien, Patrick (Denise) Watts of Stevensville, and Angela (Joel) Tavolacci of Virginia; 32 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Veronica Richards of South Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents, 21 “saint ity-bitys” who are in heaven; his brothers, Timothy, Robert, John and Raymond; his sisters, Mary and Hannah and a son-in-law, Douglas Stutz.

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William "Bill" Watts Sr.

June 12, 1935 - August 25, 2016