It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Watts, known to many as “Buddy”, announces his passing after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 5th, 2018 at the age of 83 years at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Donald Watts was born in Molena, Georgia on November 25th, 1935 to Wilbur and Linda Watts. He worked his family’s small farm there, worked at the lumber mill, along with various other jobs as a child. Donald joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and served aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Mindoro, based out of Maine. He married Marianne Fleming and lived in Vermont for a time, then returned to his beloved Georgia with his wife and child, being blessed with two more children thereafter, then making their home in Griffin, Georgia for several decades. He started and ran a very successful General Contracting business for many years in that area. He later retired and spent many happy years living in McDonough, Georgia with his second wife, Martha (Bolien) Watts.
Donald was preceded in death by his dear wife, Martha, his parents, Wilbur & Linda Watts, two brothers, Frank and Larry, as well as one sister, Reba Ferrell. He is survived by his three children; Rosemary Spivey (Truett) of Augusta, Ga., Donna Windham (Jon) of Athens, Ga., and Michael Watts of Dahlonega, Ga., five grandchildren; Nicholas Carn, Zachary Carn, Caroline Windham, Grayson Windham, and Landon Watts, three great-grandchildren; Tyler Carn (Kendra), Gillian Carn, Olivia Carn, one great-great, Ryleigh, two brothers, Jamie Watts and Wayne Watts, a sister, Joyce Bush, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donald will be dearly missed and remembered for his infectious laughter, his amazing stories, his love and kindness, as well as his indomitable spirit, optimism, and perseverance. He loved his music, fishing and hunting, gardening, horses, dogs, big southern meals, his western movies and shows, and his beloved little Turner Methodist Church in McDonough, where he was baptized on February 18th, 1990 by Pastor Harold Lyda, where he served on the Board of Trustees, was active in Sunday School, sang in the choir, and worked lovingly to build improvements and maintain the buildings and grounds. He often reminisced about his childhood home of Molena, Pike County, Dripping Rock, and Pine Mountain, loving to ride those old country roads still. He told stories of his years in the Navy with a twinkle in his eye; the travels, adventure, and camaraderie of his youth. One of his biggest influences was his maternal
grandfather, “Granddaddy Will” (Adkerson), who he spoke of with love, tears, and admiration all of his life. He was an excellent marksman, guitarist, singer, craftsman, hunter, and survivalist, among many other things. Most of all, though, he fiercely loved his children and grandchildren, and they loved him. He loved The Lord. He loved to laugh. He loved life and lived it fully.
Visitation will be held at Haisten’s Funeral Home in McDonough, GA on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. A funeral service in memory of Donald Watts will be held on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 at 3:00 pm at Turner Methodist Church, 2957 Turner Church Road, McDonough, GA. 30252, with the Reverend Leon Baxter officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Watts family.
