Donald Floyd Watts

Don Watts passed away at his home in Oral, South Dakota on August 11, 2025 at the age of 82. Don was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on December 4, 1942. Don cherished his family and enjoyed spending time with all of them. His family adored him and had the utmost respect for him. Don had a huge impact teaching them the importance of a strong work ethic and most importantly loving them all unconditionally. Don, better known to his family as Papa, made a point to always say, "I love you!" anytime he saw you or spoke to you as he got older. When he said it you also felt the love. Words can not express how much he will be missed by his family! Don was always a hard worker. His first job as a teenager was at Big Steer where he was hired as a dishwasher and moved up to cook. Don went on to work at Bronco's restaurant on Platte Avenue in Colorado Springs. In 1968, Don purchased Bronco's and successfully ran this restaurant from 1968-1973. Don also raced stock cars at Pikes Peak Speedway in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He watched stock car racing at the speedway as a child because the track was close to his home and he could ride his bike there. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to sell concessions. He had a passion for racing and went on to race later as a hobby. In 1973, he purchased Bronco's Family Eating in Ellicott Colorado. He owned Bronco's Family Eating from 1973-1999. Bronco's Family Eating was popular for the food, as well as a place for the local community to come together. Bronco's was regularly packed. Don was exceptional at making the restaurant feel like a home. He remembered people and always made them feel seen and welcome. His children, Janette and Rodney, worked at Bronco's growing up and before the restaurant opened or after closing he regularly sang "You Are My Sunshine" to them. Additionally, he was active in the Ellicott community as a Little League Coach when his son was young and kept the official score book for the Ellicott High School boys basketball team for several years. Don also regularly attended sporting events in the Ellicott community both home and away. In June of 1999, he married Debbie Watts, sold Bronco's, and moved from Ellicott, Colorado to Oral, South Dakota. Don welcomed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with love. Together, they ran Sturdley's restaurant in Hot Springs for five years before Don fully retired. Don's son Rodney Watts and family moved to South Dakota a few years after Don and they always enjoyed spending time together. Don enjoyed stopping in to visit his son Rodney at work and golfed with him on a golf league for several years. Don always enjoyed watching and supporting his granddaughters Mandy, Aspen, and Aryona golf for the Hot Springs High School golf team. He rarely missed one of their golf meets even if he had to drive to the northern Black Hills to see them. He was also thrilled when he was asked to partner with each of his granddaughters in golf tournaments. He also looked forward to spending time with his daughter Janette and grandkids Brian, Josh, Dylan, and Kyleigh in the summer when they came to visit. His grandkids helped with several large projects on his property. Later, he enjoyed spending time with his great-grandkids. Every summer when family visited he cooked huge breakfasts on his Blackstone down by the stream on his property. This was always a highlight for him, as well as the rest of the family. In his retirement years, Don did not want to slow down and enjoyed staying active. He appreciated being at home on his property in Oral with Debbie, mowing, gardening, and spending time down by the stream. He also loved watching races, golf, football, and baseball, as well as his favorite tv programs. In addition, Don was an avid reader. His favorite author was Louis L'Amour. He enjoyed his coffee (business meetings at the Steven's Plumbing Shop) in the morning with great friends, as well as golfing, and bowling. Don and his son Rodney won A and B divisions in the Men's golf league at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs. In addition, he won a hole in one trophy that he was proud of. Don was also in the RobbinsDale competitive bowling league in Rapid City. He recently won the league's Sportsman Of The Year award which he was honored to receive. Don is survived by his wife Debbie Watts, daughter Janette Watts (John), son Rodney Watts (Barbara) and sister Sylvia Tyson. He is also survived by six grandchildren Brian Prosser (Stephanie), Joshua Prosser (Kelley), Mandy Price (Todd), Aspen Aaberg (Dustin), Kyleigh Watts, and Aryona Watts, as well as eight great-grandchildren, Hannah, Amelia, Hadley, Cody, Daegan, Clara, Jocelyn, and Quinn. He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Watts, mother Adalaide Watts, brother Ralph Watts Jr., and grandson Dylan Prosser. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD, followed by committal service at Fairview Cemetery in Oral, SD.