David Ernest Watts

Dave was born in June of 1946 in Portland ME, son of Carol R. and Bernard B. Watts and attended Portland schools. In 1966, Dave enlisted with the Navy Reserves and served on the U.S.S. Tills and the U.S.S. Miles C. Fox (DD-828) as a Boatswain’s Mate. Dave also served in the Army with the hundred and first Airborne Division as a long range patrol radioman in Vietnam. After returning stateside for a tour of a lifetime, Dave received orders to report to West Point, NY to train cadets and guide them through their summer field problems. After leaving the Army in 1973, Dave went to work for the Brunswick Naval Air Station as a utility systems repairer/operator, heavy equipment operator, and a night runway supervisor during snow removal operations. He retired from the Brunswick Naval Air Station in 2002. Dave during his career at Brunswick Naval Air Station also stayed with his military background with the Maine National Guard and later the 3rd of the 16th Military Army Reserve with a total combined government service of 56 years. Shortly after Dave retired he went back to work for the Windham Public Works Department as a truck driver and then in 2003 Dave went to work with the Salvation Army Portland Corps doing maintenance work. Dave found this work very rewarding and made many new friends.

Dave was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and commanded the Portland Deering Memorial Post 6859 in 1993 where he earned All State Commander and was later appointed to the National Voice of Democracy in 1995. Dave worked hard for local veterans with the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 as a trustee and the Windham Veterans Center as a board member. Dave had many hobbies but his most favorite pastime of all was enjoying his family.

Dave was predeceased by his Mom and Dad, Carol R. Hilton Watts and Bernard B. Watts. Dave is survived by the love of his life Audrey S. Leighton of Windham and was married for 19 years, and his children Betty Jo and Norman Cash of Windham, David B. Watts of So. Portland, Ernestine and Kelly Hutchinson of Weld, David Leighton of Windham, Frank Leighton of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by his siblings Pamela and Tom Stanley of Brownsville, VT., Vicky Watts of Gray, Jerry and Melen Watts of Gray, Deborah and Tom Gaydos of Borrego Springs, CA., and Melissa Lekas of Portland, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lue of flowers contributions can be mailed to the VFW Post 10643, PO Box 1776, Windham, ME 04062