Lawrence 'Larry' E. Watts, 87

Lawrence "Larry" E. Watts, 87, passed away Jan. 31, 2013, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene. Larry was born Sept. 25, 1925, to William Ernest and Ethel Ione (Mellor) Watts in Arimo.

He attended elementary school in Arimo and Blackfoot and high school in Coeur d’Alene after moving with his family at the age of 16. He enlisted in the military in December 1943 serving in the Army Air Corp during World War II as a radio tech and gunner aboard B-29 bombers in the Pacific Theatre. Larry was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Larry married Ila Anice Toomey on Nov. 25, 1945, in Coeur d’Alene. Upon his honorable discharge in 1947, Ila and Larry made their home in Wallace, Coeur d’Alene and Bonners Ferry where they raised five children.

Larry was a meat cutter at Wallace Meats before retiring as the manager of the meat department for Safeway after 25 years. He then changed careers becoming a truck driver and heavy equipment operator in the private sector and Louisiana Pacific. Since retirement, Larry and Ila have made their home in Coeur d’Alene. Larry spent his life enjoying his family along with the outdoors. Larry enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening and most of all is remembered for his love of flying. His children and grandchildren have fond memories of spending time with him and his airplanes.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Helen; two brothers, Sheldon and Jim; his son, Rodney and granddaughter Courtney.

He is survived by Ila, his wife of 67 years, at their home in Coeur d’Alene; four children, Karen Watts of Coeur d’Alene, Debbie and husband Scott Nearing of Kingston, Curt Watts of Federal Way, Wash., Jana and husband David deVarona of Seattle; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Shirley O’Fallon of Tacoma, Wash., Marilyn Watts of Kent, Wash., Lola Watts of Lakewood, Colo.; four brothers, Thomas "Dean" (Carol) of Kellogg, Warren (Ann) of Clarkston, Wash., David "Lee" (Hilda) of Coeur d’Alene and Bob (Mary) of Kent.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, with a reception to follow at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Larry’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.