Ronald (Ronnie) Eldridge Watts, age 78, of Sulligent, AL, formerly of Fayette, AL, went to be with the Lord on November 18, 2025.

Born in Mentone, AL on July 3, 1947, Mr. Watts lived in Fayette and Tuscaloosa, and retired to Vernon with his wife Sonya in 2008, moving to Sulligent in 2014. Mr. Watts enjoyed fossil hunting, fishing, hunting, and spending time spoiling his grandkids. He loved the outdoors. He had a tremendous love of animals, especially horses, and won numerous awards in rodeo earning him the nickname “Cowboy”.

Mr. Watts graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1965. He joined the Military in 1966 and served in the USAF 773rd Tactical Air Wing during the Vietnam War. He spent 26 months in Southeast Asia as Crew Chief on C-130. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve, then to the National Guard, retiring in 2007 from the Army. He attended Shelton State Community College where he earned his degree as a machinist. Mr. Watts went to work for Uniroyal Goodrich in 1976 working most of his time there in department 34 as a filler/flipper, started the First Responder Program, and retired in 2007 as Brad Former. He held the position of Fire Chief at Walnut Lane Volunteer Fire Department in Fayette for many years.

Services and burial will be held February 6, 2026 at 1:15 pm at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL, with Brother Brian Williamson, Mr. Watts' son-in-law, presiding. Another Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the Sulligent Lake.

Honorary pallbearers are special friends James and Ann Godfrey, Senator Richard Shelby, the late Senator Roger Bedford, Ricky and Tina McDaniel, Kathy and Gooch Cantrell, Committee Members of Sulligent Lake, owners and staff Todd’s Smokehouse, owners and staff of J&M Trading Post, doctors and staff of Tuscaloosa V.A. Medical Center, and current and retired employees of Uniroyal Goodrich.

Mr. Watts is survived by his loving wife, Sonya Grantham Bircheat Watts; five kids; two step-kids; one daughter-in-law; one son-in-law; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.