Hugh Watters Jr Obituary

Hugh J. Watters, Jr. Saginaw Twp. , Michigan Beloved husband, father, grandfather passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023, age 88 years. The son of the late Hugh and Arlyne (Sommerville) Watters, Hugh was born on August 7, 1934 in Saginaw, Michigan. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 until 1956. Hugh married Betty Kendall, at Peace Lutheran Church, on May 2, 1959; and she survives him. Also surviving are his two daughters and one son, Catherine (William) Patterson, Saginaw; Hugh (Jane Orlyk) Watters, III, South Lyon, Carrie Wontorcik and her fiance, William T. Burke, Boise, Idaho; five grandchildren, Abigail, Hugh IV, Grace, Benjamin and Lauren; one sis-ter, Lori Ruple. Hugh was preceded in death by his siblings, Marlyne, Delbert, Lois, and Robert. Hugh was a Structural Engineer for many years and loved to "talk shop". He enjoyed time spent with friends, family, and traveling. To say Hugh enjoyed garden-ing is putting it mildly; when his kids were young he grew a vegetable garden nearly the same footprint as his house and always had a smile on his face to find the kids had raided the peas or carrots before he'd gotten to them. He encouraged his wife, a consulting rosarian and Master Gardner, turning their modest lot into a suburban oasis. He doubled as a grounds keeper turning the field adjacent their house into a track, a softball field, and an ice rink for his kids. Hugh was a strong man in all facets; strong in his faith, his love for family, and in his convictions. Hugh was the Dad kids called late at night with a broken down car, for a ride, or a rescue because he could be depended on smooth things over with anyone's folks, his integrity always evident. Hugh went to great lengths to provide for his family when the economy was unforgiving spending years at a time working out of town, sacrificing time with those he loved to provide for them. Hugh threw his back into helping his kids succeed encouraging them through gauntlets of Calculus, providing elbow grease renovating a bar/restaurant, and felling trees by the dozen. Dad's lessons were well learned, taught through action and deed; his work ethic outliving him in his children. Though humble for his own accomplishments he was immensely proud of the successes of his wife Betty, their children, and grandchildren; their biggest fan in all things. Late in life he enjoyed coin collecting to share with his grandkids and was a well known customer at the teller stand. Hugh was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and American Legion Post #439. The family plans a Private Funeral Service and asks, in lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy consider memorials to American Legion Post #439 in honor of Hugh's service in the USAF.