In Memoriam: Ivy “Wendell” Watts

Submitted by Donna Watts

    Ivy “Wendell” Watts died Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Heritage Manor in Baton Rouge. He was 89,”the priest says he never really grew over the age of 25”! This was so true. A native of Central and a longtime resident of Baker, he was a retired sheet metal worker for Ethyl Corp., where he worked for 32 years. Visitation was at Charlet Funeral Home Inc., Zachary, on Friday May 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mass was at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Baker on Saturday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Baton Rouge. Survived by his wife of 66 years, Julia Engels Watts; two sons, Wendell “Gerard” Watts and wife Cathy, and Michael “David” Watts and wife Donna, all of Central; daughter and son-in-law, Veronica Ann Welsh and husband James, of St. Francisville; sister, Gladys Watts Hunt, of Zachary; two brothers, Edwin Ulla "Abe" Watts and Carney Clifton Watts, both of Central; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews that he spent time with and loved. Pall bearers were his grandsons Johnny Mauffray; Baton Rouge, Jerry Watts; Zachary and Michael Watts; Central, Nephews Don Nijoka; Denham Springs, Al Nijoka; Baton Rouge, Mark Watts; Central and Son in law James Welsh.  He was a longtime member of St. Isidore Catholic Church choir. He served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific Theater and graduated from Central High School in 1939. He sold many cords of firewood each winter on Lavey Lane in Baker and enjoyed every minute of it.  Preceded in death by his parents, Ulla Ava Watts and Mary Robinson Watts; and brothers, Vivian and Warren Watts. The family would like to thank all of his caregivers in the last few years.