Jesse Carlyle “JC” Watts, 82

Jesse Carlyle “JC” Watts, 82, of Mt. Sterling died Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at St. Joseph Hospital Main, Lexington.  
Born Jan. 18, 1943, in Winchester, he was the son of the late Carlyle Watts and Lauvenia Leake.  He attended St. Patrick Catholic Church, retired from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and was a U.S. Navy veteran.  He owned and operated Womwell Automotive Parts Store and Machine Shop, ITM printed circuit board business.  He also enjoyed his years with Westling Manufacturing and as a research and design engineer of equipment and tools for use by automotive technicians at Heartland Engineering. He was a member of the Lions Club, and Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Some of his favorite hobbies were woodworking, boating, and puzzles, and he loved spending time with his family.  
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Patsy Crouch Watts of Mt. Sterling; son, Thomas Watts (Stephanie) of Mt. Sterling; daughter, Tricia Collier (John) of Nicholasville; sisters, Brenda Frye of Kansas City, Mo., Nell Manuel of Richmond and Lori Blair (David) of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandchildren, Caroline Jackson (Jed), Catherine Stephens (Jordan), John Will Collier and Patrick Collier, Brody Watts and Sadie Watts; great-grandchildren, Wren Jackson and Ramsey Jackson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Billy and Chloe Ann Stewart; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Toni Oschwald; and grandchildren, Joseph Collier and Finn Collier.
Service was conducted Saturday, March 29, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father John Moriarty and Rev. Dr. Scott Holley officiating.  Burial was in  Longview Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brody Watts, John Will Collier, Jed Jackson, Jordan Stephens, David Manuel, Brad Manuel and Patrick Collier.
Honorary pallbearers were Robert Reynolds, Johnathon Ballard, Gary Orme, Billy Stewart, John Collier, John Mahler, Mike Baskey, Wayne Wages, James Arnett, Bill Johnson and Don Oschwald. 
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to www.finnfest.live, a 501c3 non profit for Congenital Heart Disease research.
Taul Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.