Willie Watts

He was larger than life, and larger than most people he came in contact with, but he had a gentle soul and he was truly a man after God's own heart. Willie Dean Watts was born on July 16, 1933, in Harlan, Kansas, to John and Bertha (Cook) Watts. He attended school in Smith Center, Kansas, graduating from high school in 1951.
Upon graduation, he moved to Minnesota to help in the ministry work of Soul's Harbor with Gordon Peterson. Willie was saved while attending one of Rev. Peterson's services in Kansas. Rev. Peterson encouraged Willie to come to Minneapolis to help in various areas of the church and he found him employment in masonry construction. Willie and Rev. Peterson remained best friends in life until Rev. Peterson's death in 1984.

While attending Soul's Harbor, he met his best friend that he would share his life with. Willie and Mavis (Swenson) were married on April 16, 1955 at Soul's Harbor. Together they raised 4 children - Timothy, Richard, Susan, and Pamela.
At the age of 25, Willie felt the call of God on his life to go to school and study to become a minister. He always said he did it the hard way, going to school while married with children. But with a lot of determination, hard work, and prayer, Willie graduated in 1964 from St. Paul Bible College.
Upon graduation, Willie and Mavis loaded up the old Buick and moved the family north to Pine River, Minnesota where he would pastor the congregation of the Riverview Independent Tabernacle for some 18 years.

After taking a few months sabbatical upon leaving the Tabernacle to seek God's direction for their next adventure in life, they were asked to come to a church camp with their puppets and lead their chapel services. Soon, others were asking them to come with their puppets for evangelistic meetings, and in 1983, The Light Company was born. For the next 20+ years, Willie and Mavis travelled thousands of miles, pulling their airstream trailer, and held Kid's Crusades, starting many young (& older) kids on the path to knowing, loving, and following God. They were 2 Watts out spreading the light of Jesus' love.

Willie and Mavis retired from the road and spent many years in University Park, Iowa, near Richard and his family and helped with ministry at the Nazarene Church in Oskaloosa, along with having occasional puppet shows in their garage for any kids who wanted to come. A little over 5 years ago they made the move to an assisted living facility in Pillager, living near daughters Sue and Pamela, and enjoyed fellowship with the people at the Casino Assembly of God Church there. Mavis passed away in August of 2011.
So much more could be written about this extraordinary man, but suffice it to say that he ran his race on earth well, and we have no doubt he was warmly embraced and welcomed to heaven by his Lord this past Tuesday afternoon.

Surviving are sons: Tim (Annie) Watts and Richard (Pam) Watts; daughters: Sue (Greg) Van Hal and Pamela (Michael) Withage; grandchildren: Alison (Jon) Feldman, Samuel (Brittney) Watts, Angela (Brian) Lomas, Andrew (Lindsay) Watts, Kami Van Hal and Cory Van Hal; great-grandchildren: Natalee Feldman, Olaf Watts, Ellie Watts, Bennett Feldman, Charlie Feldman, Luther Watts, Eli Watts, and Gunnar Watts. Also surviving is one brother, Loren (Ardis) Watts; brother-in-law Jack, (Sherrye) Swenson; and sister-in-law, Georgia (Darrell) Johnson; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Willie in death were his parents, John and Bertha Watts; his wife of 56 years, Mavis Watts; brothers: Arlie Watts, Loyde Watts, Floyde Watts, Merlyn Watts; sisters: Ila Watts, Dorothy Hatfield, Edith Graybast; and great-grandchildren: Emmalee, Owen, Cooper and Oliver Feldman.

We leave you with one of Willie's favorite Bible verses... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5, 6

Services will be 11 AM on Saturday, December 5, at Riverview Church, Pine River. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus.