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Lawrence ‘Larry’ E. Watts
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September 27, 1925 ~ January 31, 2013 |
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February 11, 2013 |
 Lawrence
‘Larry’ E. Watts, 87, passed away January 31,
2013, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur
d’Alene. Graveside service will be held at 11
a.m. Saturday, February 16, at Coeur d’Alene
Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7315 N. Government
Way, Coeur d’Alene, with a reception to follow
at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Avenue,
Hayden, Idaho.
Larry was born September 27, 1925, to William
Ernest and Ethel Ione (Mellor) Watts in Arimo,
Idaho. He attended elementary school in Arimo
and Blackfoot and high school in Coeur d’Alene
after moving with his family at the age of
sixteen. He enlisted in the military in
December, 1943, serving in the Army Air Corp
during World War II as a radio tech and gunner
aboard B-29 bombers in the Pacific Theatre.
Larry was a member of the Disabled American
Veterans.
Larry married Ila Anice Toomey on November 25,
1945, in Coeur d’Alene. Upon his honorable
discharge in 1947, Ila and Larry made their home
in Wallace, Coeur d’Alene and Bonners Ferry,
where they raised five children.
Larry was a meat cutter at Wallace Meats before
retiring as the manager of the meat department
for Safeway after 25 years. He then changed
careers, becoming a truck driver and heavy
equipment operator in the private sector and
Louisiana Pacific. Since retirement, Larry and
Ila made their home in Coeur d’Alene.
Larry spent his life enjoying his family along
with the outdoors. Larry enjoyed golfing,
fishing, hunting, gardening and, most of all, is
remembered for his love of flying. His children
and grandchildren have fond memories of spending
time with him and his airplanes.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents;
sister Helen; brothers Sheldon and Jim; his son,
Rodney, and granddaughter, Courtney.
He is survived by Ila, his wife of 67 years, at
their home in Coeur d’Alene; four children,
Karen Watts of Coeur d’Alene, Debbie and husband
Scott Nearing, Kingston, Idaho, Curt Watts of
Federal Way, Washington, and Jana and husband
David deVarona of Seattle; 11 grandchildren and
nine great-grandchildren; sisters Shirley
O’Fallon of Tacoma, Washington, Marilyn Watts of
Kent, Washington, Lola Watts of Lakewood,
Colorado; brothers Thomas ‘Dean’ (Carol) of
Kellogg, Idaho, Warren (Ann) of Clarkston,
Washington, David ‘Lee’ (Hilda) of Coeur
d’Alene, and Bob (Mary) of Kent, Washington.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the
Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka,
KS 66675.
www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene is entrusted
with the care of final arrangements. Please
visit Larry’s online memorial and sign his
guestbook at
www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. |
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