WATTS, James H. 1903-1988

WATTS, MYERS, HANNAMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/30/2009 at 11:56:49

STARTED WATTS THEATER IN OSAGE!

James H. Watts

Funeral services were held Monday, October 24, 1988 at United Methodist Church, Osage, for James H. Watts, 85, of Osage. The Reverend James. S. Pittman officiated and burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Mr. Watts died Thursday, October 20, 1988 at United Hospital, Blue Earth, Minnesota of natural causes.

He was born in Gibson City, Illinois on January 29, 1903 the son of William and Imogene (Hannaman) Watts. He attended Gibson City schools and graduated from the Gibson City High School in 1923. He was a commercial artist and he and a partner founded the W. P. York Silkscreen Processing Plant in Peoria, Illinois. He was vice president and director of the art department for the plant.

He married Mildred Myers on May 23, 1928 in Peoria, Illinois. In 1942 he left the firm and they moved to Osage where they bought the Osage Theater. They operated that theater until 1950. They then built a new theater in Osage and named it Watts Theater. They operated that theater until retiring in 1978.

Mr. Watts was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, former member of Osage City Council, and former secretary for Osage Chamber of Commerce.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and two grandsons.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred of Osage; one daughter, Mrs. Merlyn (Ronnie) Huset, of Winnebago, Minnesota; one son, William of Vancouver, Washington; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and one brother, Virgil of Peoria, Illinois.

[Mitchell County Press, Wednesday, October 26, 1988]

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#2:
Photo from MITCHELL COUNTY PICTORIAL ATLAS, 1977.

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