Virgil Watts

Virgil Doyle Watts passed away on March 6, 2026 after ninety-two years of a beautiful, full life as a husband, father, grandpa (Papa), great grandpa, friend, musician, 7-up distributor, fixer of anything, and so much more. Born in Ripley, Oklahoma, one of five siblings, he grew up to become the kind of man who never met a stranger and never let a loved one feel alone. To many, he was known for his music as a gifted steel guitar player, inducted into multiple Western swing halls of fame across the United States, swinging on stages around towns and filling rooms with joy. If you could talk steel guitar or Western swing, you had a friend for life. He loved playing music, fixing anything that needed fixing, and most of all, he loved his family. He believed that true wealth wasn't measured in money, it was measured in joy, purpose, and the courage to do what sets your soul on fire. To him, being "rich" meant waking up each day doing what you love and loving the people around you deeply. He believed that life didn't have to be complicated to be beautiful. His simplicity and quiet devotion were reminders that the most meaningful things were love, faithfulness, and a song shared together are what make life extraordinary.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty- two years, June {Bowen} Watts, his children, Starla Queen, Clifford Watts and son-in-law, Skyler Perkins, grandchildren, Amber Charlene Sidwell, Kelsii Paige Watts, Brandii (David) Jade Francis, Benjamin Levi Watts and Alex Shane Perkins and great-grandson, Noah Hanafusa, siblings, Peggy Gattenby, Larry Watts and Linda Fleming, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Nadine (Foshee) Watts, his siblings, Virginia Faye Watts, Betty Jean Richardson, his daughter, Valerie Dawn Perkins and his son-in-law, Jimmy Queen.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery c/o the funeral home McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes 701 N. Business Hwy 61 Bowling Green, MO 63334

A Celebration of Life and music "jam session" will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Fieldhouse 54 on highway 54 in Bowling Green, Missouri on March 29, 2026.