Connie Clifton Watts Jr.

Connie Clifton Watts, Jr., 95, of Renton, Washington, went home to his Savior on June 26, 2021. Connie was born in Pisgah National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina on July 19, 1925.

He received his diploma from Edneyville High School after serving in the Navy aboard the USS Atlanta CL-104 serving in the South Pacific towards the end of WWII. He had the opportunity to be in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the treaty with Japan. After the war, he was invited by an uncle to work on the Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs, South Dakota. It was during this time that Connie met his bride, Betty Lou Benson.

The couple traveled to North Carolina where Connie received training to be a medical laboratory technician. Connie and Betty soon returned to Hot Springs and Connie was employed by the Veterans Administration for 27 years. Connie loved his work and the people he worked with at the lab. After Connie and Betty retired in 1975, they spent winters in Mesa, Arizona, and in about 2010 moved there full-time. After years in the sunshine, they relocated to Renton, Washington in 2013 to be near family.

Connie loved to garden, collect license plates and hunt for rocks. He was a member of the Picture City Gem and Mineral Society and was a founding member of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Connie loved to travel, especially back to the Blue Ridge Mountains to visit family.

Connie was the last of the greatest generation for the Watts’ side of the family. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 69 years, Betty Lou Watts, his parents, Connie, Sr. and Lucy Watts, his brothers Elmer Watts and Earl Watts, and sisters Ruby Hoots and Doris Watts. He is survived by his daughter Susan Storton, (Edward), two grandchildren, Kari Storton (Thomasina) and Christopher Storton (Jessica), and two great-granddaughters, Sadie Rose Storton and Avery Jane Storton, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews. We have all been blessed beyond measure to have had him in our lives. He was a kind, humble, gentle man.

Connie’s family would like to thank his church family at Springbrook Church of Christ in Renton, Washington as well as the nurses and staff at Gencare at the Lodge, Renton, Washington.

Remembrances may be shared at www.diginitymemorial.com.