Howell "Roy" Watts, 74 of the Denver Sunset Home, Denver, formerly of Cedar Falls and Readlyn, died at UnityPoint Health–Allen Hospital on Friday, April 19, 2019.

He was born September 15, 1944, in Cresco, son of Howell H. and Ida L. “Delight” Stroup Watts and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1963.

Roy married Ruth Hetrick on March 27, 1965 at Saratoga Presbyterian Church, Saratoga. He worked for the Milwaukee Railroad, then for Giant Manufacturing in Council Bluffs and later for John Deere Tractor Works, retiring in 1997.

He was a member and former treasurer of Crossroads Assembly of God, Waterloo. He was a member of the International Retractable Ford Club and the Cedar Valley Antique Automobile Club. He loved cruising in his 1957 Skyliner Ford Retractable. He enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling with family. He had a great love for church, his family, friends and his dogs. No one was a stranger for long around Roy. He was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers, NASCAR, and the Hawkeyes.

Roy is survived by his wife, Ruth of Cedar Falls; son, Daniel (Vicky) of Readlyn; daughter, Dawn (John) Lyon of Spencer; 4 grandchildren: Courtney (Brian) First of Cedar Rapids; Sarah (Jason) Boutin of Oelwein; Kelsey (Josh) Watts of Plainfield; and Jacob Watts of Readlyn; 8 great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul (Wanda) Watts of Belvidere’ Ill.; and a sister, Francis (Bill) O’Rear of Pinebluff’ Ark.

He is preceded in death by 6 brothers: Kenneth Watts and Luther, James “Jim,” Harvey, Harold and Albert Benefield and 5 sisters: Jane Turner, Ima Jean Luttrell, Helen Merriman, Martha O’Rear, and Kathryn Thompson.