Hugh McRee Watts, 86, of Queens Road in Cherryville, died August 28, 2013, at Trinity Village in Hickory. He was born on September 10, 1926 in Alexander Co., a son of the late Thomas Wilson and Verna Estelle Clanton Watts.
Mr. Watts was a member of First Baptist Church in Cherryville and a benefactor of “Creed Coffee House” at the church in memory of his son, Tommy. He was a World War II Navy veteran, member of the Cherryville American Legion Post 100, and a Mason. Hugh was in trucking management 39 years, starting with Brown Transport, Associated Transport, and then joining Carolina Freight Carriers in 1974 where he worked until his retirement. He quickly moved up the ranks becoming Executive Vice President of Maintenance for Carolina’s nationwide fleet. Hugh was recognized for many awards, including the Distinguished Service Award, Silver Sparkplug Award, Fleetowners Golden 100 Award, and Fleet Maintenance Executive of the year in 1998. Hugh also chaired and served on many councils in the trucking industry in his long career.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Huffman Watts; a son, Thomas McRee Watts; brothers, Clifford Watts, Flake Watts, and Lynn Watts; and sisters, Flora Rogers and Polly Divens.
He is survived by five nieces, Vickie McGuirk (Gary) of Greensboro, Ginny Jeffries (Richard) of Lenoir, Julie Wright (Chris) of Winston-Salem, Ann Watts Abbott (John) of Mt. Airy, MD, and Teresa Watts of Raleigh; two nephews, William Rogers and Terry Watts (Priscilla) of Hickory.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church Cherryville with Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner officiating. Burial will follow in City Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 to 2:45 PM at the church.
