Ronald Watts

Ronald Nolan Watts, age 76 of Bankston, passed away Monday, October 2, 2023 at his residence. He was born January 20, 1947 in Fayette County, Alabama to Mae and Paul Watts. He lived and attended school in Fayette.

After graduation, he joined the Air Force where he was assigned to Air Light Weight Optical Tracking Systems (ALOTS) at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. He took a picture of the Apollo 7 launch on October 11, 1968 from a plane at 35, 000 feet which was featured in Life magazine.

After the Air Force, Ronald moved to Bankston and started a family with his wife Joan. They have been married for 56 years. During his many years of working he worked as a Natural Gas Operator. He retired at the age of 70.

He was preceded in death by his mother: Annie Mae Watts and father: Paul Ruben Watts.

He is survived wife Joan Watts of Bankston, son: Glen Watts of Tacoma, WA, daughter: Cheryl Watts of Coker sister: Nellie Jane Farley of Fayette, twin brother: Raymond Watts (Pat) of Fayette.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 7-P.M. from Nelson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Hopewell-Rosehill Cemetery. Thomas Fields and Tim Fields will officiate. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5-7 P.M.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Randall Fields, Rusty Fields, Billy Howard Fields, Chris Farley, Jeff Farley, Brent Watts, and Eric Farley.

He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family.

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