Matthew Williamson Watts

1921 - 2011

M. WILLIAMSON WATTS
Matthew Williamson Watts, 90, formerly of Charleston, WV, and Madison County, VA, and beloved husband of Evelyn Fray Watts, died peacefully and with dignity on November 23, 2011, in Harrisonburg, VA.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia, on October 6, 1921, to Laura Williamson Watts and Jo Blackburn Watts, Williamson attended Woodberry Forest School and West Virginia University.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to continue his education at Rochester Eastman Kodak School and Syracuse University, before being deployed to the Pacific and Hawaii. After the war he attended Washington & Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia, where he met the love of his life, Evelyn Green Fray. They were married in Lewisburg, West Virginia on May 29, 1948, at Old Stone Church, Dr. Courtney officiating. After he graduated law school, Williamson and Evelyn returned to Charleston, West Virginia, where Williamson began the practice of law with his father and where they were active in the Kanawha Presbyterian Church.
In 1959, Williamson and Evelyn and their five children moved to the Fray family farm in Brightwood (Madison County, VA).
Williamson was a lawyer and a farmer, a Master Gardener, an Elder in the Madison Presbyterian Church, a fierce yet fair Commonwealth's Attorney for Madison County, member of the Ruritan and Lions Clubs, and one of the original supporters of Madison County Habitat for Humanity.
As one of the charter members of Madison County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he reveled in the athletic, personal and spiritual attainments of his young FCA members, especially as he accompanied them to FCA conferences. Having made All-State at Woodberry Forest in football and wrestling, and having played football at WVU and having played football and boxed in the service, Williamson appreciated all sports at all levels. He was a follower of the Madison County Mountaineers and was an avid fan of the Madison Blue Jays Valley League baseball team.
Williamson and Evelyn travelled extensively with the American Horticultural Society, the American Daylily Society, the American Rhododendron Society, Washington & Lee Alumni and the Society for the Preservation of Civil War Sites.
Whether Williamson was playing his guitar and singing with his family or saying a loud "Amen" at the close of the choir's anthem, music was an indispensible part of his life. If an interested listener were nearby, Williamson could tell a story in the by-gone style of the master story-tellers. For him, a perfect day was one in which he could hold Evelyn's hand while they watched the sun color the sky as it set beyond the mountains.
In 2000, he and Evelyn moved to Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community (Harrisonburg, VA) where both have been supported by wonderful friends and care-givers.
In addition to his wife Evelyn, he is survived by his children: Laura Watts Williamson and Hugh Berkley of Blackstone, VA; Caroline Watts of Madison, VA; J. Blackburn Watts and Vickie Watts of Brightwood, VA; John Williamson Watts and Ruby Watts of Crozet, VA; and Evelyn Watts Way and David Way of Spotsylvania, VA.
He dearly loved his grandchildren: Caroline Williamson Herath and Jeffrey Herath of Yorktown, VA; Matthew Lewis Williamson of Crewe, VA; Laura Kathleen (L.K.) Williamson Mondrey and Carlos Mondrey of Palmyra, VA; Jo Blackburn Watts, IV, of Brightwood, VA; Justin Watts of Blacksburg, VA; Helen Way Blazek and Kenny Blazek of Spotsylvania, VA; David P. Way, Jr., of Fredericksburg, VA; and Evelyn Elizabeth Way Thomas and Nathan Thomas of Fredericksburg, VA.
He delighted in his great-grandsons: Christopher Fray Herath and Michael Alan Herath of Yorktown, VA; and great-granddaughter Lily Mae Grace Blazek of Spotsylvania, VA, whose name honors Williamson and Evelyn's love of daylilies.
In addition to his parents, Williamson was predeceased by his six dear brothers and sisters.
While his absence is palpable, he will forever remain in the hearts and minds of so many because of his tremendous character. Those closest to him thank his fantastic physicians, Dr. Day and Dr. Tiller, for allowing him to live out his days in the manner closest to his heartfelt wishes.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 3:00 pm at Meredith Chapel, 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Sunnyside Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Chaplain Paul O'Gorek officiating.
Williamson was a faithful and enthusiastic bell-ringer for the Madison Chapter of the Salvation Army, and the family requests that any memorial contributions be made to that organization c/o DSS, P. O. Box 176, Madison, VA 22727. Especially at this time of year, think of Williamson as you make an extra trip or two to give to your local red kettle and say "thanks" to your local bell-ringer.