Lester Watters

Lester J. “Les” Watters, 86, passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville.He was born February 9, 1931, the son of John and Myrtle (Vineyard) Watters.Lester was a veteran of the Navy serving during the Korean War.He married Sylvia A. Knoche on January 17, 1952. She survives.Les was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, American Legions Post 214, and Alton Eagles. He was a former commander of the Wood River Volunteer Emergency Corp. and for 14 years, volunteered for the Meadowbrook and Bethalto Fire Departments. Les drove the ambulance for Smith Funeral Home in Bethalto for many years, helped start the Bethalto Boys and Girls Club and was a civilian jailer with the Bethalto Police Department. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his children and all of his grandchildren.In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Kennith and Linda Watters of Alton, David Watters and Kim Carroll of Fosterburg, Nancy and Richard Marti of Edwardsville, Dennis and Tammy Watters of Moro, John Watters and Heather Judd of Hettick, Gordon and Linda Watters of Collinsville, James “Jimmy” and Kristy Watters of Wood River, Sylvia “Jeannie” and Marc Blackorby of Ohio; twenty grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; brother in law, Claude Blum of Witman, Arizona; daughter in law, Rita Watters of Edwardsville; and a cousin, Sue Ledbetter of Alton.He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William “Bill” Watters; one sister, Ruby Blum; and two brothers, Roy Watters and Charles Watters.Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the funeral home with Rev. Willard Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or School, or Lewey Body Dementia.An online condolence and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com

Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home