Leland Watts, 69, of Smackover, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born February 20, 1953 to Franklin Leland Watts, Sr. and Wilma Earline Montgomery Watts in El Dorado, AR.
He was a graduate of Southern State College, now Southern Arkansas University, earning his Master's Degree in Education. He retired from the Smackover School District, where he coached football and track and was the Tech Coordinator at Smackover High School. Leland was a member of Joyce City Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
Coach Watts was a simple gentleman whose quiet demeanor made him easy to love. He was an avid football fan who was devoted to his family and church.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Kelly Watts of Smackover; daughter, Rebecca Watts of Texarkana, AR; brother, William Watts (Tammy) of Hot Springs Village, AR; sister, Sandra Morton of El Dorado; four nephews, Heath Watts (Kelsey), Grady Watts, Blake Watts (Peighton), Daniel Morton (Melissa); and several great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Smackover First Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Dunn and Rev. Carly Davis officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. Serving as pallbearers are Heath Watts, Grady Watts, Blake Watts, Daniel Morton, Brian Reap, Michael Martin and Rudy Jones. Honorary pallbearers are Chuck Downey, Howard Halligan, Max Dyson, Tommy Norrell, James Fielder and Kenneth Jerry.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
