John Nelson Watley

John Nelson Watley, aged 50, passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2024. A devoted husband, father, son, and friend, John leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, friendship, and adventure.

Born on July 12, 1974, to John Thomas and Aletha Bonds Watley in Birmingham, AL, John enjoyed spending many childhood days on the Warrior River where he developed his love for the great outdoors. After graduating from John Carroll High School in 1992, John attended the University of Alabama before earning a B.S in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from Georgia State University. John and his future bride moved to Atlanta shortly after the Olympics where they resided for 7 years before moving back to Birmingham. A few years after their sons were born, John and Alicia moved to Marietta, GA where they have called home for the last 15 years.

John is survived by his wife Alicia Boles Watley, his sons Collier Thomas Watley (18) and John Wilson Watley (17), parents John and Aletha Bonds Watley, sister Sheri Watley Hulsey, niece Emily Elizabeth (Emmie) Hulsey and nephews Will Hulsey and Coleman Hulsey. He is also survived by his in-laws Gene and Chris Boles, and Robert and Caroline Daniel, sister-in law Michelle Boles Baldwin, nephew Clay Baldwin and niece Lawson Baldwin.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John and Frances Watley, maternal grandparents Nelson and Aletha Bonds, and brother-in law Bobby Hulsey.

John's greatest pride and joy were his family. He shared a beautiful life with his wife of 25 years, who was the love of his life. Together, they raised two wonderful boys who were the center of his universe. A free spirit at heart, John embraced life with enthusiasm and spontaneity, whether it was snow skiing out west, at a music festival, at an Alabama football game or with his boys on the Warrior River. His passion for music and travel and Alabama football took him on countless adventures, where he was always in search of new friends and new stories to tell. John will forever be remembered for his ability to make people laugh and his unwavering devotion to those he loved. Though he has left us far too soon, his fun-loving nature, warm heart, and practical jokes will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Oak Ranch in Springville, Alabama.

Services to honor the life of John will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Canterbury United Methodist Church (350 Overbrook Rd, Mountain Brook, AL, 35213) with visitation at 12:30 P.M. and service at 1:30 P.M. A celebration of John's life is being planned to be held in Atlanta after the new year (details will be forthcoming), where family and friends will gather to remember the man who filled our hearts with music, laughter, and love