Charles Meredith Watts

CHARLES MEREDITH WATTS, 88

WINTER HAVEN - Charles Meredith Watts of Winter Haven died June 2, 2011 at the age of 88 years after suffering a stroke following surgery last week. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Charles was born in Ft. Scott, Kansas on December 23, 1922. He came to Haines City, Florida at the age of 2, when his grandfather, the Reverend W.Y. Allen, was called to be the pastor of the First Christian Church. He served in the Army Air Force as a B-17 flight engineer, logging over 800 hours in the B-17 during World War II. During his service he met his future wife, Lois Thornhill, while training at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California. He brought her home to meet his parents and they were married in Haines City on July 22, 1945. After the war he returned to Haines City to work with his father, operating Watts Dairy. He assumed partial ownership of the dairy in 1948 with his brother, James, and full ownership of the dairy in 1955. Charles took a keen interest in public affairs that affected the dairy industry and eventually rose to chair the local drainage district and served as President of the Central Florida Milk Producers Association. He was active in the First Christian Church of Haines City and served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and choir member. He was also active in Kiwanis.
In 1969 Charles moved Watts Dairy to Sumter County. He sold the dairy business in 1973 and began a new career in heating and air conditioning in Lake County at the age of 51. He returned to Haines City in 1979 to care for his aging parents and started Charles M. Watts Air Conditioning at the age of 57. The business still thrives and is run by his youngest son, Leonard. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, boating, and time with his family. He and Lois enjoyed traveling and journeyed to many domestic and international destinations including Australia, Ireland, England, Denmark, Norway, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Guatemala, St. Kits, and St. Lucie. Their favorite place, however, was home together.
Charles and Lois were not too busy to raise six children along the way. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Lois Thornhill Watts, son Allen and wife Peggy of DeLand, Florida, their six children and fifteen grandchildren, son Kenny and wife Lou Ellen of Hunstville, Alabama, their two sons and four grandchildren, daughter Judi Watts Falen and husband Eric of Winter Haven and their son and daughter, daughter Jo Watts Harney and husband Gary of Middletown, Delaware and their two sons and two grandchildren, daughter Jeanne Byron and husband Ron and their three daughters, and son Leonard and wife Jonnie of Winter Haven, Florida and their two sons. He is also survived by his brother James (Sonny) Watts and sister Martha Loy Wallace of Haines City, and sister Dorothy Melhorne Blount of Palatka, Florida. He was known lovingly as Uncle Buddy to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, L.D. and Rae Watts, sister Mary Collins, and granddaughter, Susan Harney Haist.
Charles was known as a business man of great integrity, respected in all his endeavors. He delighted in spending time with his family and was devoted to his faith. He was a living example of it daily and served as chief prayer warrior for all four generations.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Winter Haven Christian Church at 301 Sixth Street NE, Winter Haven Florida at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 4, 2011. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice,
www.goodshepherdhospice.org .