William ‘Bill’ Wendell Watts

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(July 13, 1942 - April 22, 2017)

William “Bill” Wendell Watts, 74, of Cody, died Saturday, April 22, 2017, at West Park Hospital following a short battle with lung cancer.

Bill was born July 13, 1942, in Lovell, to Jess and Mamie Watts. He graduated from Cody High School in 1963 and met the love of his life, Bertha Schultz, at the Cody Laundry and Dry Cleaners where she was working with his mom. They were married July 13, 1964.

He served in the Army from 1964 to 1966, spending most of the time at Fort Hood in Texas. After his military service he worked in the oil fields for six years. In 1972 he went to work for Webster Chevrolet where he became Bud Webster’s right-hand man. He officially retired in 2004 but anyone who knew Bill would say he never retired.

Bill and Bertha had three daughters, Bonnie (Chip) Newton of Cody, Betty (Kevin) Geisler of Copperas Cove, Texas, Barbara (Rodney) Oliver of Cody and one son, Billy Jess Watts.

Bill was a man of his word and never knew a stranger. He never tired of sharing stories of events in his life. Just a few minutes of visiting with him and you would realize his love and passion for the military and his country. He was a proud man and provided a good life for his family.

His favorite hobby was woodworking, especially creating beautiful furniture out of cedar. Bill spent many years hunting, fishing and camping with his family. In his later years he enjoyed his time with Bertha taking cruises, long road trips and riding their side-by-side four-wheeler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jessie Jackson and Dorothy Brown; brother Tom Watts; niece Sondra Adams; two nephews David and Wayne Jackson; and son Billy Watts.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bertha; three daughters; six grandchildren, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, April 27, at 10 a.m. at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody. Donations can be made to a cancer charity of your choice.

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