FRANKLIN - Otis Denver Watts, 81, of Franklin and Sylva, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.
Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Glenn William and Alice Blanche Jones Watts. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Faye Frizzell Watts; brothers, Wallace and Terrell Watts; and sister, Edith Watts Bobo.
Otis was a United States Army veteran who faithfully served his country in the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Little Savannah Baptist Church in Sylva, where he formerly taught Sunday school. He was a longstanding member of the Pipefitters Union and the UA. He retired from SCC, where he initially taught plumbing and heating and then went on to create and teach the welding program. Otis often thought he might be one of the “oldest licensed plumbers” in North Carolina. He loved making bluegrass music, playing the mandolin, and collecting antique cars. Anyone that knew Otis could always count on him to share one of his many funny stories.
He is survived by his wife, Essie Mae Dills; son, Steven Watts (Michelle) of Sylva; Essie Mae’s children Eddie Dills (Roberta) of Onekama, Michigan, and Shari O’Neill (Craig) of Metamora, Michigan; sister, Mary Sue Watts Richardson of Greenwood, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Shawn Benscoter, Isabella Bonhotel, Tonya Dills, Brandy Tyler, Robert Miljan, Ryan Miljan and Annie Marshall; numerous great-grandchildren; a special niece, Amanda Patterson; special nephew, Thomas Richardson; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family received friends Sunday, Dec. 18. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Eddie Stillwell officiated. Military honors were provided by VFW Post 7339 and American Legion Post 108. Burial was in the Stillwell Cemetery in Sylva.
Pallbearers were Shawn Benscoter, Eddie Dills, Craig Baran, Gary Greene, Gregg Buchanan and Jeff Frizzell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to VVA Chapter 994, 249 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734 to help with scholarships and disabled veterans.
Online condolences can be left at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.