William Watts

William Truman Watts NORTHPORT - William Truman Watts, age 85, of Northport, Ala., died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 16, 2017. Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at Campground United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Wilson and Rev. Frances Collins officiating and burial following in the church cemetery. Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North will be directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lillian Watts; sisters, Lois Bryant and Beatrice Lowery; brothers, Edward, Earl, Robert and Doyle Watts. He is survived by his wife, Hilda Watts; daughter, Sonja Watts; son, Kevin Watts (Robin); grandchildren, Drew Watts (Cayla) and Karley Watts; great-granddaughter, Lillian Donna Watts; brothers, Jack Watts (Polly) and Jerry Watts (Kaye); sister-in-law, Elizabeth Watts of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. William was born March 4, 1932 in Elrod, Ala., the fourth of nine children. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Iowa and the USS New Jersey during the Korean conflict. After his service to his country, he met and married the love of his life, Hilda Lunceford Watts and was happily joined in marriage for 59 years. He and Hilda made their home in the Northside/Samantha community where they raised their family together. A loyal member of Campground United Methodist Church, he was an active member of the community helping out with youth sports, band boosters, Boy Scouts and various other school organizations. William was also a charter member of the Northside Lions Club where he served in several officer positions through the years and for a time was a volunteer with the Samantha Fire Department. After 40 years working for The Tuscaloosa News, William retired in 1997 and spent the remainder of his days enjoying his walks with his dog, Sugar, his love of gardening, his family, and spending time at their second home in Orange Beach. Pallbearers will be Joe Appling, Elden Willingham, Jimmy Lunceford, W.J. LaFoy, Lee Foley, Albert West, Aaron West and Drew Watts. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of The Tuscaloosa News, members of Campground United Methodist Church, members of the Northside Lions Club, friends of the Northside/Samantha community, Judge Hardy and Juanita McCollum, Rev. George and Gloria Jackson, Rev. Tony and Pat Gunter, Carolyn Willingham, Martha Willingham, Gary and Becky Mims, Doris LaFoy, Jim Boone, Charles and Anne Land, Jerry and Brenda Carpenter, Faye Hamner, Beverly Callahan, Gaines Lunceford, Donald and Barbara Lunceford, Larry and Linda Watkins, Tammy and Bill Traweek, Felicia Hagler Collins, Alex Perry, Polly Ann Watts, employees of Hospice of West Alabama, Alacare and Amedysis Home Health, Dr. George Miller, Dr. Thomas Patton, Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, special niece, Sherry Lunceford and special caregiver, Kim Bigham. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Campground United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Samantha, AL 35482, Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 or Northside Lions Club, P.O. Box 22, Samantha, AL 35482.