Cloris L. Watts

I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to goodly parents, Cloris A. Watts and Melba Turner Watts. I was the third of five children. We were raised in a happy family and we were taught the importance of hard work. We were taught to respect others and to be helpful to everyone. I grew up in Murray, Utah and was educated in the Murray school system. I attended Arlington Elementary and Murray High School. I excelled in basketball and track. In our senior year many of us were enlisted in the U.S. Navy. World War II was in full swing. Fortunately I was not called to active duty until after graduating in 1945. I was discharged on Aug. 12, 1946 as a Seaman First Class. I attended Weber State Junior College on a basketball scholarship and graduated June 4, 1948. I attended Utah State College in Logan, Utah on a basketball scholarship. I did not enjoy the cold climate and as soon as the basketball season ended my junior year, I moved back to Murray and enrolled at the University of Utah and graduated on June 9, 1951.

On July 15, 1950, I married Margeen Woodruff of Salt Lake City, Utah. We had four children. We divorced in December 1975. I worked 38 years in the insurance business, starting as a claims adjuster. I was elevated to claims manager and manager of the Professional Standards and Quality Control Department. I refereed basketball games on the high school and college level for 26 years. I was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation on Sept. 20, 2006. On Jan. 27, 1978, I married Rinda Anderson of Sandy, Utah. We enjoyed traveling around the country. We took cruises to the Caribbean, Japan, Mexico, Hawaii and other places. We spent several winters in St. George, Utah in our condo until my health started failing. I enjoyed playing golf at the Alpine Country Club.

I am survived by daughters, Lara Watts, Sue Watts-Harper; and son, Preston Watts (Kasha); stepdaughters, Jennifer Shino (Toshi), and Michelle Anderson (two great kids); 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Connie Mosher. I was preceded in death by my parents; sisters, Bonnie and Carolyn; brother, Ron; and son, Van Watts.

I have chosen cremation. There will be no viewing or services, as per my wishes. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Murray City Cemetery, 5600 South Vine Street.