George Wayne Watts passed away on December 15, 2016, at home surrounded by family. He was born March 25, 1937 to Byron and Gertrude Watts in Mansfield, Ark and was a 75 year Las Vegas resident.
George served the Las Vegas Valley with the Clark Co Fire Department retiring as Captain with 32 years of service. George and Nancy celebrated 61 years of marriage on December 10, 2016. He loved hunting, fishing, boating and spending time with family and his fire department brothers.
George is survived by wife Nancy, sister Bobbie Johnston, daughter Debbie (Claude) Lee, sons Bill (Karen) Watts, Dan (Shellie) Watts, grandchildren Mike & Danny Lee, Caitlin Finney, Brian, David (Lexi), and Derek Watts, Brandon (Tina) Neagle, Danielle (Justin) Scheeler, AJ Watts and 7 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson Tyler Ray Watts. Per George’s request the family will hold a private service.
He is the guy next door – a man’s man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet he stands taller than most of us.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child’s laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life – hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers – a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling – the camaraderie of brave men – the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn’t wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn’t preach the brotherhood of man.
He lives it.
-Author unknown
What an honor it has been to share families with George and Nancy. Fly high my favorite Fireman – you will always be a Hero to me!
Much love and sympathy to Nancy, Aunt Deb, Uncle Bill, Uncle Dan and families.
The girls and I love you all!
A truly great man who showed his demonstrated his tremendous strength and grit through gentle kindness. Rest well, you’ve earned it.