Joseph Watts, of the Lutheran Community at Telford, formerly of Sellersville, passed away, Sunday, September 24, 2017, at his residence. He was 96.

He was the beloved husband of Ruth (Besch) Watts for 73 years.

Born in Lansdale, he was a son of the late Horace and Anna (Hoepfl) Watts. Joe was a 1939 graduate of Lansdale High School.

Mr. Watts was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

Joe had been employed for 25 years as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98. Later, he had also worked as a real estate agent for nearly 15 years.

Mr. Watts was a long-time member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Sellersville, where he had served on Church Council, the Property Committee, and as an usher.

President of the local food pantry, Pennridge FISH, from 1984-2000, Joe was also a member of the Sellersville Lions Club. He had also supported the Bucks County Association for the Blind and was a former president of their Busy Bees Club.

Mr. Watts was the Pennridge area’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2000. As he observed, “I just help people…I think it’s something everyone should do.”

Joe and Ruth were members of an early morning walking club. They had also taken ballroom dancing lessons and attended many dances with a group of friends.

The entire family enjoyed camping at Pecks Pond in the Poconos, where Joe had especially liked to go fishing. When he had a grandson, Joe proudly taught him to fish.

Family, community, and service to others were beliefs both Joe and Ruth held dear to their hearts.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Watts is survived by his two daughters, Margaret Siemon and her husband, Kurt, of Fayetteville; Linda Haupt and her husband, Lamar, of Sellersville; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Elwood Watts, and a sister, Marion Fretz.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 29, in St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 25 East Church Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Interment with full military honors will follow in Sellersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pennridge FISH, P.O. Box 9, Perkasie, PA 18944.

Affiliations

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Lion's Club
Lutheran Seal
United States Army Air Corps