G.C. Watts, Jr.

Canton-Gordon Coleman Watts, Jr., known to most as G.C. or Charlie, passed away at the age of 93 in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 1st at MedWest Hospital in Haywood County. G.C. was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Dean Watts, his parents Gordon C. Watts, Sr. and Georgia O'Kelley Watts, and sisters Jimmie Patterson and Mildred Chambers. Watts, a World War II Veteran, served his country in the US Army Air Corp and saw action in Africa and Italy. He was a Staff Sgt. responsible for keeping allied planes flying as the American and English squads pushed Hitler back into Germany. A daily journal he kept depicts both the horrors and the lighter moments of war from the perspective of the men and women who supported the logistics of moving parts and people as the war progressed. Watts was on the first Honor Air Flight from Haywood County to take WWII Veterans to see their monument in Washington DC. The trip, especially a photo of himself and Gen. Colin Powell, Ret, was a highlight of his life and brought him many hours of happiness after the flight. Upon his return to the States and Honorable Discharge from the Army, Watts gained employment at Champion Papers in the Quality Control Department where he worked until the time of his retirement. Throughout his life, he was an avid fisherman and hunter and delighted in hiking the mountains and wading the streams of Western North Carolina. He was an outgoing individual and delighted in getting to know his fellow campers in any situation in which he found himself. Watts was a noted photographer and taught a photography class at Haywood Technical Institute. He was the "unofficial" photographer for Champion Papers and, even in retirement, often documented the events of the mill. Watts spent many hours putting together 8 mm videos with sound tracks long before computers made the task so easy. Throughout his 60s, 70s and into his early 80s, Watts was an active member of the Haywood County Senior Olympics. He won many competitions in archery and other sports. As his eyesight diminished, due to Macular Degeneration, he would find alternative ways to "sight" his targets. When questioned about how he made a bull's-eye in competition, he once famously announced that he "simply shot at a cloud" over his target because it was not moving. He is survived by his four daughters and their family members: Sherry Coleman and Woody Fowler of Waynesville, Vicky and Tommy Eavenson of Canton, Kathy and Cecil Yount of Bethel, and Nancy and Ron Johnson of Canton. Additionally, he is survived by two granddaughters Tammy Hightower and Amy Howard and four great grandchildren. Watts is also survived by his brother Herbert of Canton and Helen Foster of Canton, his loving companion. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Keith Clark officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. The family wish to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Silver Bluff Rehabilitation Center for the loving care their father received during his recent convalescence there. Memorials may be made to Haywood County Senior Games, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Share the Warmth Program of Mountain Projects 2251 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to one's favorite charity.

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