Edwin "Ed" Watts

Edwin "Ed" Watts, 81, of Las Vegas, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Born December 30, 1929, in Morganton, NC, to the late James McKinley Watts and Mary Alice Dale, he was a 40-year resident of Las Vegas. Ed was a faithful Christian and a devoted husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, and brother-in-law. He always sacrificed himself in service of others--his family, friends, and country. Ed served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and received many medals and awards, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired with honors in August 1971, with 3 years of service in the U.S. Navy and over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Subsequently, he moved his family to Las Vegas and had a second career in casino management for 20 years, retiring from Bally's Casino Resort in April 1992. Ed was later diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative brain disease. With a strong will to live and home care from his wife and daughter, he fought the disease for over 12 years before succumbing to multiple complications in the hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James McKinley Watts and Joseph Ernest Watts; sister, Kathleen Watts Clark, of Morganton; and mother-in-law, Martha Kanipe Smith, of Newton, NC. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Rachel Starr Watts; daughter, Cynthia "Cindi" Watts; sister, Ruby Wise and husband, Jim, of Morganton; sister-in-law, Edna Watts, of Morganton; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 11 am - 12 noon Wednesday, May 18, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas. Full Military Rites service will follow at 1:20 pm at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd., Boulder City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Rd., Ste. 201, Timonium, MD 21093, or online at their website.