William A. Watts
Date of Birth: November 26, 1929
Date of Death: October 3, 2012

To the Hall of Fame Committee

  On behalf of William A. Watts we would like to submit the attached letter as a nomination to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame.

  My name is William A. Watts at age nine on my way home from school one afternoon in February 1939 I played on the railroad tracks in Morrell Park. I inadvertently had a run in with a train at the railroad I had to cross to get home from school. This run in cost me my left leg. I proceeded through school and after several moves I ended up in Arbutus. I graduated from Catonsville High School in 1948. At age 21 I tried to join the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Company but was told that because of my artificial leg I was not eligible for membership. I said, OK and forgot about the volunteer fire service until I married in 1959 and moved to Riviera Beach. I used to listen to the siren blow at Riviera Beach VFC on many occasions after which I finally submitted an application for membership in late 1959. I was asked to attend a Board meeting of the fire company and was asked by Chief Boots Raynor what I could do in the fire company. I told him I would do whatever I could do to help the community and anyone else as required. Chief Raynor said he would give me a chance to prove myself. I was accepted as a member in December 1960. I took fire school from Frank Homberg and many other courses as required from some of the other past officers of the Anne Arundel County fire service who taught classes. I have held numerous offices in Riviera Beach VFD from Secretary, Vice President, Board of Director, Treasurer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief. I also am the only surviving member of the World Champion Heavy Rescue Team that won in Miami Beach in 1964. I am a Life Member of Riviera Beach VFD and presently I am Chairman of our purchasing committee for company supplies. I am submitting this for consideration to be inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 

Update:

On October 3, 2010 William A. beloved husband of the late Merriell C. Watts (Nee Potter) devoted father of Lisa C. and her husband Steve C. Parks of Gambrills and the late Michael J. Watts. Loving grandfather of Kayla Parks of Gambrills.
Mr. Watts was born on November 26, 1929 in Maryland to the late Augustus and Evelyn Watts and died at his residence on October 3, 2010. Mr. Watts was a Pasadena resident for 50 years. He was a member of the The Shriners, The Masons, The Scottish Rite, The Square club, The Stoney Creek Democratic Club, The Stoney Creek Hunting and Fishing Club. He was a life time member of the Rivera Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, feeding the birds at the park, coin collecting, war movies and spending time with his family. He worked as a credit officer for over 20 years for Commercial Credit. He was also the gate keeper at Ft. Smallwood Park for 5 years.