William McKinley Watts

William M. (Bill) Watts was born on July 20, 1945, in Bessemer, Alabama, to the late Hilery Sims and Emma Mae Watts. (Adoptive parents were Willie and Nannie Watts). William graduated Valedictorian from Abrams High School in 1963.

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A Time To Be Loved

William met and married his sweetheart, Katie M. Horne, on July 13, 1982. We lived in Albuquerque, NM, Dayton, OH, San Antonio, TX, and back to Dayton, OH, until we both retired from Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. After staying 20 years in Dayton, OH, we packed up again and moved to Tucson, AZ.

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A Time to Worship, Serve the Community, and Play

At an early age, William accepted Christ and joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama. Later in his life, we moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. While at Mt. Olive, he was a Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Finance Secretary. Also, he and his brother, Montgomery Watts, were the barbecue kings for the church fundraisers.

After returning to Ohio, he joined Grace Family Worship Center and continued his work for the Lord. He was Chairman of the Deacon Board and set up a Church Pantry to assist needy families in the area. He also taught Finance and Budget classes to members of the church and non-members of the church. Additionally, he was Chairman of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Celebration and March and luncheon for the city of Troy, Ohio. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, he joined Mt. Calvery Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Reverend Marvin Hugley Sr. and Pastor Joan Wiggins. William was very active in church until his health declined, and he could not attend church.

Some of his favorite things to do were fishing, listening to his favorite music, especially Aretha Franklin (Amazing Grace and Respect), reading and walking to the mailbox.

William had a big smile and an even bigger heart. He touched the lives of many with so much love and kindness. He was active in The Children's Crusade, or Children's March, a nonviolent protest in Birmingham, Alabama 1963. The march was held from May 2-10, 1963. The marchers were Black students who wanted to discuss segregation with the mayor. William was one of those students. Over 1,000 students skipped school to march from Sixth Street Baptist Church to downtown Birmingham. Police arrested hundreds of students and jailed them on school buses. Police Chief Bull Conner ordered police dogs and fire hoses to be used against the students. Media coverage of the event convinced President John F. Kennedy to support federal civil rights legislation. The Children's Crusade is credited with shifting attitudes against segregation and leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Immediately after the march and High School graduation, William enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served 20 years and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant with many honors and citations. After retiring from active duty, he returned to the Air Force as a civilian and worked for another 20 years. He finally retired in 2005 after working 40 years for the Air Force. He loved his jobs and time in the military. Also during this time, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business/Accounting and a Master's Degree in Business Management.

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A Time To Rest

On Friday, February 14, 2025, William passed away from this earthly world. He was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Mae Watts; father, Hilery Sims; sister, Juanita Stansil; brother, Montgomery Watts; and granddaughter, Jahkatlin Randolph.

William leaves to carry on his legacy a devoted wife of 43 years Katie Watts, Mother-in-law Viola Quinney, Yellow Bluff AL; six sons William Watts II (Charlotte) Tucson, AZ; Samuel (Brittny) Watts Huber Heights, OH; Neil (Nievita) Watts Eureka, CA; Roger (Edith) Watts Tucson, AZ; Ronnie Watts, Bothell, WA; Dwayne (Sue) Watts, Reno, NV; two daughters, Sameria (Artis Jr) Stromas, Huber Heights, OH; Winifred (Wade) Stephens Omaha, NE, four grandchildren Kara Vega (Carlos) Tucson, AZ; Jahkell Stromas Huber Heights, OH and Josh Hayes, Decatur, IL and a devoted granddaughter, Jenny Randolph of Atlanta, GA; five great-grandchildren, Malachi Watts, Alyssa and Maddox Vega Tucson, AZ; Blake and James Watts Huber Heights, OH; one great-grandnephew Dell Watts, Boston, MA; five nieces Vanessa (Norman) Troy, Glenda Adams (Gary Mitchell), Lisa Goodman, and Nicole Watts, Albuquerque, NM; Carolyn Nicks, Atlanta, GA; one special great-grand niece Lenora Watts of Albuquerque, NM; two sister-in-laws, Corean Thomas Flint, MI, and Sanda Bradshaw, Decatur, GA; two brother-in-laws, Willis (Maggie Dismuke) Grayson Houston, TX, Richard Grayson, Mobile, AL; one first cousin, Barbara Jean Watts, Bessemer, AL; A Special Devoted Family Raul, Patricia, Joaquin and Gracie Barcelo; a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends