He served aboard the U.S.S. Charles Carroll and was in the following amphibious invasions: Nov. 8, 1942, invasion of Casablanca, North Africa; July 10, 1943, invasion of Scoglitti, Sicily; September 9th, 1943, invasion of Agropoli, Gulf of Salerno, Italy; June 6, 1944, invasion of Normandy, France; August 15, 1944, invasion of southern coast of France, Frejus, France; and April 1, 1945, invasion of Okinawa and Jima Nansei. He was discharged March 24, 1948 with the rank of QM/1C.
He was an employee of Georgia Pacific and owned a family business in Crossett, AR. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Crossett. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Winona Majors Watts; his father, L.B. Watts; his mother, Letha Davis Watts; his brothers, Harold Watts, Bill Watts, Bob Watts; and his sister, Marie Watts Hoover.
Survivors include his wife, Wrayma Thomas Watts; his sister, Linville Watts Calhoun, of Monticello; two sons, Dennis Watts (Mary) of Austin, TX and Charles Watts (Brenda) of Hoschton, GA; one daughter, Carol Hardaway (Larry) of Austin, TX; six grandchildren; Greg R.Watts of Charleston, SC, Jon Paul Soliday of Keller, TX, Jamie Grainger of Flowery Branch, GA, Jennifer Watts of Morgantown, IN, Amy Girtman of Colorado Springs, CO, and Tyler Watts of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was a dear man and was loved by everyone he knew. He will be sorely missed.
Condolences(6)
Ken & Janet Burks
Benton, AR Friday, November 23, 2012 To the Watts Family:I'm sorry we couldn't make it down there; we just had things going that we couldn't get out of. But Uncle Howard was always one of my favorite people. He had a great outlook on life and a fantastic sense of humor! We're going to miss him.....
Ken & Janet
Cheryl Loveless
Crossett, AR Thursday, November 22, 2012 So sorry to hear about Mr. Howard's death. Youare in my thoughts & prayers.
Pat Watts
Morgantown, IN Thursday, November 22, 2012 Pop was a very special man who lived life with joy and sensitivity. He was able to look beyond an individual's exterior to see the value of the inner substance. The world is a better place because of the love that Pop brought to it. I am blessed to have known him. Pat WattsJennifer Watts
Morgantown, IN Thursday, November 22, 2012 You gave me such a wonderful gift of memories, laughter and love, my sweet Pop! You were a man that every man should strive to be like but never be able to top! You are so missed here but surrounded by so many who love you where you are now! Thank you for being such an amazing man and grandfather, I will love and miss your infectious smile and laugh forever!I love you Pop..... Jen
Susan McClain Musick
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 21, 2012 My sympathy to Dennis, Charles and Carol. I have fun memories of Mr. Howard and the whole family during my teen age years.Shane Williams
Wilmar, AR Wednesday, November 21, 2012 My thoughts and Prayers are with the family. He will live, in the memories of his family. :)