William Eugene Watt

William Eugene Watt, 70, of San Diego, CA, passed away May 30, 2026, after a valiant year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Grand Junction, CO, on December 5, 1955, the middle child of Clayton and Hilda (Harding) Watt’s seven children. Bill spent his childhood on the family farm in Fruita, CO, later moving to Grand Junction and graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1974.

Following graduation, Bill served four years in the US Navy aboard the USS America as an on-deck “green shirt” servicing fighter jets. After discharge, Bill settled in the Denver, CO, area, taking college classes and working a variety of jobs ranging from a construction electrician to live stage events to technical director at the Paramount Theater.

However, it was his summer job as a river rafting guide with Rocky Mountain River Expeditions that captured his heart most completely, placing him in his beloved outdoors and among the lifelong friends he made on the water. On one such rafting expedition, a 21-day journey through the Grand Canyon, Bill met the love of his life, Holly Hutchins. They settled in San Diego and were married November 3, 1990.

In San Diego, Bill worked as an IBEW journeyman electrician before finding his professional home at San Diego Civic Theatres, Inc., where he served as an IUOE building maintenance engineer for 30 years. The river never left him, though, as he remained a beloved figure in the rafting community he had helped build, and in 2025 was honored with the RMRE alumni Boatman's Hall of Fame award, a recognition he cherished.

Throughout his life, Bill found joy in the outdoors: river rafting, camping, fishing, and rock hunting — pastimes he enjoyed with family and friends. He was born a fixer of things, equally at home thrifting for treasure or troubleshooting a neighbor’s problem. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of San Diego where he worked with The Crew on electrical projects and volunteered with the children’s ministry by lending his time to the Drama Troupe, musical productions, or Sunday School.

The same spirit that made Bill a beloved guide, a tireless volunteer, and a neighbor who always showed up was the spirit he poured into fatherhood. His proudest accomplishment was raising his two sons to love nature, work hard, find joy in their passions, and be kind and generous to all.

Bill is survived by his wife, Holly Hutchins-Watt; sons Wyatt (Courtney) and Torrey (Olivia); grandson Wilder; siblings Peggy (Art) Sulley, Shirley (Jay) Arthur, Dennis (Kathy) Watt, Susan (Merritt) Sixbey, Patty (Terry) Wheeler, Stephanie (Bill) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 25, at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio S., San Diego, CA. To honor Bill’s memory, please consider:

1. Save Moon Camp to preserve the Big Bear Lake eagle habitat (deadline July 31)

2. American Cancer Society

3. A charity of your choice, or simply an act of kindness to others