Robert Earl Watt

July 5, 1938 – October 7, 2023

Dad was born to Earle and Annie Watt in Smithdale, Mississippi. The family moved to Wyoming when he as young and he spent many years living on a ranch north of Arvada. The open spaces of ranch life gave him exposure to lots of animals and outdoor activities. Throughout his life he always enjoyed being outside fishing, hunting, gardening, doing yard work, and observing wildlife. Even as the fog of dementia was clouding his mind, he was always quick to spot the turkeys, rabbits, and deer that are abundant around town. He was also eager to go to church right up until his final days.

Throughout the many moves that occurred during his career, finding a church to be a part of was always a priority. He was faithful in attendance and was happy to sing, teach Sunday School, use his electrical skills on the building or engage in any other way that would be helpful. In the last couple of years particularly, his Bible was his companion most everywhere he went. His faith sustained him through his hardest days.

Dad married Mom on June 2, 1957, while on leave from the U.S. Army and they left immediately after the ceremony to head for his posting in Buffalo, N.Y., not far from Niagara Falls. By the time he was discharged a year later the first of their children was on the way. After studying electronics, Dad went to work for a rural telephone company in Montana in 1965 and after some moving around and changing jobs over the years, he retired from U.S. West in Laramie in 2000, just about the time when the specialized equipment he worked on was being phased out of use.

Another motivation for retiring was to spend more time with his four kids, eight grandkids, and eventually 12 great grandkids. Even during his working years there were plenty of family trips to amusement parks and other attractions. After retirement even more opportunities were available and each additional grandchild and great grandchild was warmly welcomed. That affection and interaction was repaid as most every grand and great grand spent time with him as the days began to dwindle.

The family wants to acknowledge the many wonderful caregivers who treated Dad here in Sheridan as well as at the Billings Clinic. Thanks is not nearly a strong enough word. We also deeply appreciate the waitstaff at Dad’s favorite restaurants. He was always welcomed warmly, often with hugs, servers knew his order and which pie to set aside, and he was always comfortable eating out.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, and great grandson Aiden Betts.

Dad is survived by his wife of 66 years Doris (Kiester) of Sheridan, his son Clay (Linda) of Spencer N.C., daughter Brenda of Sheridan, son Kevin (Marcia) of Sioux Falls S.D., son Clint of Sheridan and brother Dan(Lynette) of Dayton.

A public viewing will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 3 – 5pm at Kane Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Anderson officiating. A reception will follow at the church and then Interment will take place in the Juniper Heights Section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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