William Palmer "Scotty" Scott

WATERTOWN, NY - William Palmer "Scotty" Scott, of Watertown and Raymondville, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025 at Samaritan Medical Center.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home. A prayer service will immediately follow. Burial will then take place in Brookside Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Italian American Club.

Born August 6, 1946 in Stamford, Connecticut, Scotty was the son of Howard Andrew Scott and Jennie Lorraine (Palmer) Scott. He was educated in Sackets Harbor and the Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce for Business Management, where he met Nancy Lee Durant.  On July 11, 1970, they married at St. Patrick’s Church in Hogansburg, New York.

In the mid 1960's, Scotty owned and operated the original Scott Brothers Construction and Excavating. He also worked for the Watertown International Airport for a short time. In the 1970's, along with running his own business, he was employed by JC Penny Co. in Watertown, later becoming store manager of the Oswego store. During that time, he decided to further his education at several SUNY campuses, earning a master’s degree in education. In the 1980's, Scotty started teaching for Jefferson BOCES as a Multi Occupational Instructor out of North Jr. and Arsenal Street campuses. He also taught Adult Ed. for Electrical at BOCES. After teaching, Scotty returned to his love of construction, working with several companies before retiring in 2000 as a site foreman with Dow Chemical out of Fairfield, NJ.

Scotty loved hunting and fishing and camping at many of NYS campgrounds. His greatest accomplishment was his family.  He loved being “Papa” to his 10 grandchildren and “Big Papa” to his 11 great-grandchildren. Scotty enjoyed making people laugh and telling big stories to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed playing “Santa” for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Christmas time.

Scotty was a member of the Watertown Elks Club & the Watertown Masons, a communicate of Holy Family Church in Watertown and St Raymond’s Church in Raymondville, and a member of The Knights of Columbus, Norfolk. He was also a past president of the Watertown Sportsman Club.

Surviving is his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy; a son William P. Scott Jr. and his longtime partner, Tammy L. Cowles of Watertown; two daughters, Tina M. and Frank G. Salacka of Raymondville NY and Heather A. and Sam J. Dibble of Worth, NY; a daughter-in-law, Tracy A. Scott of Calcium, NY; his brother, Howard & Sue Scott and his sister Audrey & Sterling Orr; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Sheila Robinson, Jason Scott, Cordell Scott, Brandon Dibble, Nicholas Salacka, Connor Scott, Samantha Dibble Emily Eibert, Kaelee Salacka and MacKenzie Scott; eleven great-grandchildren, Avery, Jack, Madison, Cade, Chloe, Evan, Kennedy, Liam, Jameson, Marleigh and Odin. He is also survived by many in-laws who cherish the memories they created with him.

He was pre-deceased by both of his parents, his son, Charles D. Scott who passed away in 2009, and his in-laws Edward & Pauline Durant.

Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc. and condolences may be left online at www.reedbenoit.com.