Ottawa - Arlie Keith Watts, Sr. 89, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Richmond Healthcare Center in Richmond, Kansas.

He was born on August 22, 1933, in Pomona, Kansas, the son of Flave and Amy (Beard) Watts. Arlie lived in Pomona and Ottawa for most of his life.

He married Donna Priebe; they later divorced. He then married Mauritta Paul; they later divorced. On July 18, 1982, Arlie married Ina "Leone" Cordle in Ottawa. They were married for 38 years until her death on January 3, 2021.

Arlie was a life-long truck driver. He drove for various companies, eventually being hired on at Farmland Industries. He worked for Farmland for several years until he retired. During retirement, Arlie and Leone started Watts Bulk Transportation, a business they owned and operated for 20+ years. Arlie was also a talented auctioneer. He and Leone reopened Watts Auction; they operated it for 25+ years.

Arlie loved horses and working outside. He enjoyed watching rodeos, bull riding, and Family Feud. One of his favorite sayings while auctioneering was, "Study your lesson." On December 10, 2021, Arlie did just that when he studied God's lesson of salvation and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. He hoped family and others would do the same.

Arlie was preceded in death by his wife, Leone; his parents, Flave and Amy; his brother, Flave Watts, Jr.; his four sisters, Alma Harr, Margie Reekie, Mardell Hurd, and Pearl Nicewander; and other combined family members Lyle and Glacia Cordle, Claron and Virginia Cordle, Dennis Eads, and Kenny Bettge.

Survivors include combined families: daughters and sons Linda Roecker (Robert), Arlie Watts, Jr. (Lisa), Monica Finch, Alan Watts, Amy Shoemaker (Brad), and Eric Watts; Debbie Mallicoat-Dover (Ray Dover), Christopher Bettge (Cyndi), Roger Bettge (Jeri), and Teresa Eads; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Darrell Cordle (Ester); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service for Arlie will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at North Baptist Church in Ottawa. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions for Arlie may be made to the Pomona Food Pantry or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.