Richard Watts

Richard Charles Watts, 82 of Midland, Texas passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024 in Midland, Texas. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00am in Seminole, Texas at First Presbyterian Church and 3:00pm in Midland at Manor Park Chapel.

He was born August 14, 1941 to Floyd B. and Emma Ruth (Weatherly) Watts. Richard grew up in Denton, Texas and graduated from Denton High School in 1959. He attended North Texas State University and the University of Texas. In the fall of 1962, he met and fell in love with Carolyn Joyce Taylor and on April 13, 1963 they were married in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church in Midland, Texas. They lived in Denton, TX for a short time until Joyce graduated from North Texas State then moved to Bowie, TX where their daughter Kathryn Kyle was born.

Richard began a 55 plus year career in banking in 1962 as the janitor of a Savings and Loan in Denton, TX and served as Manager of Savings and Loans in Bowie, TX and Seminole, TX from 1963 until 1981 when he entered commercial banking in Seminole with one of the banks that subsequently became West Texas National Bank. He retired from West Texas National Bank in 2011 having served as President, Executive Vice President and Director during his 27-year career as an officer of the bank. He continued to serve as a Director of the bank until the day he passed away.

Richard served as President of the Seminole Hospital District for eight years, President of the Seminole Rotary Club, and President of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a licensed Real Estate Broker and Life Insurance Agent. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Midland. Richard loved to hunt and fish and was an avid golfer, motorcycle rider and tennis player in his younger years, but most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joe Pat and daughter, Kathryn Kyle Hicks. He is survived by his wife Joyce Watts, a brother Mike Watts and wife Fanny, grandchildren Richard Hicks, Kristen Gardner and her husband Chad and great grandchildren Abigail Gardner, Davis Gardner, and Briley Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX or Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or the charity of your choice.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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