Name Residence Eugene A. Watts, Southern Pines,NC Date of Death: 11/26/2006 Notice SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. ù Col. Eugene Augustus Watts, 88, of Southern Pines, widower of Glenna Kathryn Jennings Watts, died Nov. 26, 2006. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at 3 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Southern Pines with the Rev. Dr. David Helms officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Born Dec. 11, 1917, in Lake City, he was a son of the late Eugene and Effie Watts. Col. Watts graduated from the Citadel in 1938 and entered the U.S. Army in 1941 to serve his country during World War II. He was a proud member of the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion, that was instrumental in the battles of Bastongne and the Ramagen Bridge and was part of the Battle of the Bulge. During his 28-year military career he traveled the world, while serving in the Korean Conflict and three years in Germany. He earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Texas Christian University. After retiring from the U.S. Army he settled in Southern Pines in 1966. He was one of the first professors hired at the newly established Sandhills Community College. He later served as the business manager of the college as well as coach of the golf team and the faculty advisor of the Veterans Club. He retired from Sandhills at the age of 65. After retiring he spent 22 years as a volunteer at Moore Regional Hospital. Col. Watts was an avid golfer, poker player, Boggle player extraordinaire, animal lover and a rabid UNC basketball fan. He had a life-long appreciation and love of nature and the outdoors. He was a fierce competitor with a great passion for life, laughter and people. His Christian faith was unwavering and he practiced the teachings of Jesus daily in his acceptance of all people and his belief in a forgiving, loving God and the promise of Salvation. He was devoted and very proud of his seven children, Eugene Watts, Pam Garty, Roger Watts, Dickie Watts, Marianne Nicholson, Kathy Reid and Lizzie Watts. Their families include Kathy Watts of Fayetteville, Mike Nicholson of Carrboro, Gregg Reid of Oro Valley, Ariz., and Greg Malcolm of Fayetteville, W.Va.. He took great delight in his eight grandchildren, Kathleen, Gene, Jennifer, Tom, Michael, Katy, Eric and Ashely and his great grandchild, Luke. He also loved and cherished numerous nieces and nephews. His capacity to love led him to include Kitty, Buddy, Keith, Marie and Penny in his family circle. In addition to his wife of 59 years, he was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Lt. Richard Roger Watts, killed in action in World War II, and William Robert (Bob) Watts of Union. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gene and Katie Watts Scholarship Fund at Sandhills Community College, The Salvation Army, Humane Society or any organization that support military services. Boles Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. has charge of arrangements
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