Charles 'Chipper' Watts

WOODRUFF, Wis. — The active life of Charles “Chipper” Watts, 80, of Mercer, came to a peaceful end Friday, March 22, 2013, surrounded by his family at the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff. A celebration of life will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Senior Center in Mercer today.

 Chipper was born on May 31, 1932, in Radisson, Wis., to Charles Searle Watts and Virginia Ray (Ayre) Watts. Upon graduating high school, he entered the Army, where he served overseas during the Korean War from 1949 until his honorable discharge at the end of the Truman Extension in 1952. Upon returning back home to Exland, Wis., he met his love and lifelong friend, Rosalie (Mickey) Watts (Gordon). After a year of singing to Mickey, she finally agreed to marry and spend 59 years together, fathering and providing for their eight children.

 Chipper worked as a farmer and truck driver with several million accident free miles under his belt before retiring at the age of 67, where he kept active fishing, hunting, gardening and taking care of the longest honey-do list ever. Among all his jobs, he was most proud and honored to be his family’s energizer bunny, ensuring a happy and well-provided for life for his wife and eight children.

 His steadfast loyalty and integrity are among the many qualities of Chipper that made him well-respected and liked among everyone that has met him. Our lives are better because he was a part of them. He will be greatly missed but will see us in church, as long as we sit by the window to see him wave when he drives by.

 He is survived by his wife, Mickey; five sons, Charles (Karen), Gerald (Arlys), Douglas (Jill), Richard (Carrie), all of Mercer, and James (Kerri), of Frisco, Texas; three daughters, Deborah Watts (Cathy), of Dallas, Texas, Lisa (Steve) Feigley, of Silver City, N.M., and Donna (Erland) Saarnio, of Mercer; Grandchildren, Rebecca Kallin, Jessica Milashus, Christopher Gaines, Janet Rivera, Ryan Chaney, Sarah Lind, Chris Bossert, Jacob Saarnio, Charles Watts, Angela Watts, Erica Watts and Kaitlynn Watts; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Steinmetz, of Minneapolis, Minn.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard; and a grandson, Searle Charles Watts.

 Chipper’s generosity can be seen through his donations to the Nazarene Church in Mercer. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nazarene Church of Mercer.

 Arrangements are with Bolger Cremation and Funeral Services in Minocqua and Woodruff. Online condolences may be left at http://www.bolgerfuneral.com.