Doug Watts

Douglas A. Watts, 75, of Bucyrus died Monday, June 5, 2017 at Bucyrus Community Hospital after failing health for the past several months.



He was born April 4, 1942 in Bucyrus to the late Vinal Jay and Florence Naomi (Ritter) Watts. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1960 and attended Tiffin Business College before joining his father at what is now known as Watts House of Insurance (“Call the Watts line!”) and still operated by his son Duane. Right after Doug made a bet with a friend that he would ask the next girl he saw on a date, they stepped into Struble’s where Donna Johns was working at the soda fountain. He asked, she said yes, and they were married on September 15, 1963.



Doug loved his community, being around people, and was great at taking charge of projects. He helped organize class reunions, was a member of Moose Lodge 669 and Elks Lodge 156 serving as exalted ruler. He was past-president of the former Jaycees and the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club for many years which he also served as Division 11N Lt. Governor and organized the Bucyrus Fourth of July fireworks celebration. One of his biggest passions was baseball. He coached the McDonald’s Little League, Kime Lumber Minor League, and Superior Babe Ruth League teams for 27 years, impacting countless lives for the better. He and his family enjoyed many Cleveland Indians games, both home and away, over the years and often visited them at spring training.



Doug was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and deacon. Though busy, he also knew how to relax and enjoyed the great outdoors, not only on the ball field, but hunting, fishing, gardening, and bird watching.



Doug is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna Watts; sons, Duane (Connie) Watts and Daron (Jenice) Watts; sister, Dorothy Watts; grandchildren, Delaney and Jameson Watts; step grandchildren, Jolica (Rich) Trongo, Blake (Ashley) Berry, James (Jennifer) Berry, and Megan Berry; eight step great grandchildren; and beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Jerry, Bobby, and Danny Watts.



The Watts family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Service on Sunday, June 11 from 2-5 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at First Presbyterian Church with Gene Luidhardt, SAM officiating. A private burial will be held in Oakwood Cemetery at a later time.



Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Bucyrus Kiwanis Club or Bucyrus Little League and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on his Tribute Wall.