Wayne Lesley WATTS

     Wayne Lesley WATTS, son of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD, was born on 25 April 1923 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Wayne Lesley WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 16 April 1930, in the household of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.² He was working for Belcher Lumber Company before 1943 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Wayne began military service at age 19 on 10 February 1943 in Warrior, Jefferson County, Alabama. He trained with the 87th Infantry Division at Camp McCain, Mississippi and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. As a replacement Wayne served in combat as a corporal in Co. L 157th Regiment, 45th Infantry (Thunderbirds) Division of the 5th and 7th Armies. He participated in the invasions of Anzio, Italy; Southern France and Germany. He was awarded five medals, among which are the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War. Wayne was wounded and captured during January 1945 at the Battle of Reipertswiller and held as a POW four months at Stalag XII-A near Limburg. He was also held at Marlag X-A near Hamburg and Marlag X-B near Limberg. He was liberated in May 1945 by 51st Scottish Highlanders. After the war he served in the Army Reserves as M/Sgt and in the Navy Reserves as Senior Chief Petty Officer.^1,3

Wayne Lesley WATTS was a manufacturing supervisor for T. C. I., Joslyn Manufacturing (metal fabrication), and retired from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Mine Safety and Health MSHA. He is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister after 1945 in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama.¹

Wayne married first Frances Lillian YOUNG on 3 February 1946 in First Baptist Church, Centreville, Alabama. She is the mother of Wayne's four girls. Her parents were George Houston Young [1900-1982] and Emma Sue Burt [1898-1984]. She was the daughter of John Wesley Burt of Perry County. Wayne's occupation at this time was mining.^1,4

Wayne married second Myrtle Christine Bigbee on 3 July 1977 in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bibb County, Alabama. She was married previously to a Mr. Waldrop.⁵ He witnessed the burial of Mallory McCoy BURT on 3 February 1999 in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

Wayne Lesley WATTS died on 27 October 2014 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at age 91. He was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Centreville, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 29 October 2014 in the an unknown place , published in an unknown place , an unknown place . The Tuscaloosa News: TUSCALOOSA | Wayne L. Watts, age 91, of Tuscaloosa, formerly of Bessemer, Ala., passed away Monday, October 27, 2014.

He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. He was retired from MSHA. Mr. Watts was an Army veteran of WWII. He was a POW in the European Campaign, receiving two Purple Hearts and four Bronze Stars.

He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Frances L. Watts and his daughter, Martha Sue Paschal. Wayne is survived by his wife, Dixie Watts; his stepson, Billy Colburn; his daughters, Sherry Morrison (James), Renetta Hawkins (Mark) and Rachelle Ray (Phillip); his stepdaughters, Becky Meany (Mickey) and Sharon Herrin; eleven grandchildren and sixteen great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial at Mount Zion Cemetery in Centreville. Bro. Leon Winters will be officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 29, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.bessemerbrownfh.com. Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home, directing.