Graham M. Watts

Graham M. Watts, 86, of Marshalltown, formerly of Sunset, SC and Drexel Hill, PA, died Monday September 1st, 2008, at the Iowa Veterans Home. A celebration of Grahams life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 5th at the Iowa Veterans Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the service time. Following the services, the family invites those attending to the Kopper Kettle at the Iowa Veterans Home for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 9th at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens in Pickens, SC. Memorials may directed to Grimes Farm Conservation Center, 2347 233rd St. Marshalltown, IA 50158. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Graham and his family, phone 641-844-1234. Born on June 27th, 1922, in Darby, PA, Graham was the son of William H. and Dorothy (Shrigley) Watts. Growing up, Graham worked as a mason for the family business-William H. Watts and Company, doing custom tile and marble work, including work in Independence Hall. He graduated from Upper Darby High School, as well as earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia. Graham proudly served his country in the United States Army as a rifleman during WWII, where he earned several combat medals. He entered the Army December 10th, 1942. Graham was a Prisoner of War of the German Government from March 6th, 1945 until April 27, 1945 at Ludwigsburg, Germany. Graham was one of only six to survive this camp. On October 9th, 1954, Graham was united in marriage to Happy Aurie Hayes in Brevard, NC.The couplemade their home in Drexel Hill, PA. Graham continued to work as a mason in the family business, until closing it in 1962.Graham then worked as a Forester at Taylor Arboretum in Chester, PA until his retirement in 1982. They then moved to Sunset, SC, where they lived until 2005, when they moved to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Left to cherish Grahams memory is his son Forrest, and daughter-in-law Peggy Watts of Marshalltown; grandchildren Melissa (Jonathan) Crowder of Memphis, TN, Courtney and Austin Watts of Marshalltown; sister-in-laws Vivian Anderson of Seneca, SC and Elaine (Guy) Waldrop of Pickens, SC, as well as a host of friends. In death, Graham has rejoined his beloved wife Aurie (2005), grandson Douglas (1988), and his parents.