Charles Earl Watts

Charles E. Watts, Hailey resident, passed away peacefully October 3 2025 after a brief illness. He was 92 years old. He was a 20 year resident of Hailey, Idaho but had also lived many years in Guadalajara, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Honolulu HI, Milwaukee, WI and Twin Bridges MT where he owned Chucks Gallery and was assisted by his widowed mother Virginia. Chuck, or Charlie, as he was usually referred to by friends, was born in 1933 in Dillon MT - the first son of Earl and Virginia Watts longtime Montana educators. He is survived by younger brother Tom who lives in Celina, TX; Two cousins: one Norma Walden of San Francisco, the niece of mother Virginia and the other Vi Walchuck of Canyon Creek, MT being the niece of father Earl. He is preceded by a lifelong friend, Sharon Rose of Hailey Idaho.

Chuck usually had a big smile and good sense of humor though he said it might have been a bit on the black side. He always enjoyed patronizing music, art and theater events and usually managed to take in all the concerts at the Sun Valley Music Festival. He had no car, preferring to walk, hike and hitch with friends or just ride his bicycle. His favorite bike ride was an early morning round-trip via Broadford Rd. from Hailey to Bellevue and return, always including a "rest" stop along the Big Wood River. He also got a great kick out of attending the Saturday yard sales up and down the valley. He loved to travel though he always considered himself a lousy tourist, preferring to find a habitation, settling in and getting to know the locals and their milieus. He always regarded the high-point of his life as the two months he hiked and explored the historic pilgrimage route across northern Spain from the French border to Santiago de Compostela and the Atlantic Ocean. He spent the month of April 2003 (when he was 69) heading West and during May combined the hiking with short jaunts aboard a local train heading back East along the coast. He commented that visiting the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao - a very Basque enclave - was the most exhilarating experience during the two months.

Charles was born again and is with the Lord and his family. He will be interred in Twin Bridges Montana and there will be no commemorative services.