Obituary of Robert Davis Watts

Robert Davis Watts Funeral Services for Robert Davis Watts of Elsberry, MO will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Paul Garven, pastor of the Elsberry United Methodist Church and Rev. Abby Hall, pastor of Smith Chapel UMC, will officiate with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Watts, Allan Akers, John Ed Suddarth, Hoyt "Sonny" Ussery, III, Noble "Buddy" Presley, III and Paul LaBanca. Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Briscoe, Wayne Tillotson and Marion Keim. Mr. Watts, 98, passed away early Thursday morning, January 8, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Peters, MO. Born November 20, 1916 in Lincoln County, MO, he was the son of Alexander Parks and Leola M. Davis Watts. He was united in marriage on December 27, 1939 in Louisiana, MO to Francis Louise Akers. This union was blessed with two sons: William Robert and Gary Wayne. Robert served his country in the United States Army during World War II from May 28, 1945 until he was honorably discharged on July 10, 1946. Robert owned and operated Watts Trucking Service for over 40 years. He also worked as an Ironworker for 35 years, retiring in 1982. Robert then worked as a truck driver for Annada Elevator from 1982 until retiring again in 2004. He also worked with Jackie Briscoe on his farm for many years. Robert was a member of Ironworkers Local #396 in St. Louis, MO and American Legion Post #226 in Elsberry. Given the honorary title of "Super Fan," Robert rarely missed an Elsberry High School Basketball game. He was a longtime member of Smith Chapel UMC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Leola Watts; his brother, Alexander Parks Watts, Jr.; his sisters: Maude Bowles and Alma Sitton; and his beloved wife of 61 years, Francis Akers Watts who died January 8, 2001. Survivors include two sons: Bill Watts and his wife, Beth, of St. Peters and Gary Watts and his wife, Ronna, also of St. Peters; four grandchildren: Tiffany Baehman and her husband, Schuyler, of Melbourn, PA, Clint Watts of Cornwall, NY, Cory Watts and his wife, Carrie, of Springfield, MO and Wendy Sengupta and her husband, Alok, of Sunset Hills, MO; and eight great-grandchildren: Aidan Sengupta, Avery Sengupta, Pepper Watts, Addison Baehman, Cooper Baehman, Beau Watts, Zack Watts and Izabella Watts. Robert also leaves his special niece and nephew: Linda Korasick of Elsberry and Dennie Watts of Annada, MO; several other nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Smith Chapel UMC or the American Heart Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.