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Submitted: 1/15/20 • Approved: 1/16/20 • Last Updated: 1/19/20 • R245469-G0-S3
December 6, 1938 - November 5, 1997
Baton Rouge Advocate
11-6-1997
WATTS, JUDGE FRANCE W.
Chief judge of the 22nd Judicial District Court, he died at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1997, at his home in Franklinton after a lengthy illness. He was 58. He served on the District Bench in Washington and St. Tammany parishes for 14 years. Before his election in 1983 and his re-elections to full terms in 1984, 1990 and 1996, he practiced law in Franklinton as a partner in the firm of Watts and Watts, in solo practice, and as a partner in Watts and Cassidy. Following his graduation from LSU Law School in 1964, he was admitted to the Louisiana Bar and began his legal career as a law clerk to the late Judge Albert Tate on the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal. He was an associate in the legal firm of Hargrove, Guyton, VanHook and Ramey inShreveport until he returned to his native Franklinton in 1966. He was former director and chairman of the board of the Washington Bank and Trust Co. Visiting at Crain Funeral Home, Franklinton, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Visiting at Centenary United Methodist Church, 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday, conducted by Dr. Spiller Milton. Burial in Ellis Cemetery . Survived by wife of 35 years, Clara Sue Barnette Watts; three children and their spouses, John W. and Mary Watts, Sarah Elizabeth and David Driftmier and Chris B. and Melanie Watts; five grandchildren, Miles and Patrick Watts, Leighanna and Virginia Driftmier and Andrew Watts; mother, Elizabeth Ott Watts; two brothers, Richard and Charles Watts; and two sisters, Susan Watts Richardson and Pamela Watts Rudnicki; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was past president of Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and Franklinton Rotary Club and a former member of the board of trustees of the Public Affairs Research Council. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church where he served as chairman of the board of trustees, administrative board and finance committee, in addition to teaching the Men's Bible class. He was a Master Mason and a member of Franklinton Masonic Lodge No. 101.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie D
Contributed on 1/15/20 by billsully060
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Record #: 245469