Derrell Gene Watters

Derrell Gene Watters, 75, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at his home in Morrison surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 1-6pm with family greeting guests from 4-6pm at Dighton Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater. Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 10:00am at Dighton Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka, Oklahoma at 2:30pm. Dighton Marler Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Derrell “Papa” to the grandkids was born on December 3, 1948, in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Alvie and Mary Lou (Tarpley) Watters. He grew up in New Model Community and graduated from Wewoka High School in 1967. He then joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard and earned the rank of Sergeant until his honorable discharge in 1973. He married Beverley Reich in 1968, at Midway Baptist Church in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

In Derrell’s younger days he was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Derrell loved the satisfaction of a job well done and the folks he worked with at OG&E and contractors, but his favorite job was as “Papa” to his grandkids. Derrell was a family man who enjoyed time visiting with family, attending his grandkids’ school events, and dragging them around on Sooner and Tenkiller lakes on tubes behind his boat! Derrell was outgoing and generous to a fault and loved for his kids and grandkids to borrow the boat to continue the tubing tradition after his stroke. Derrell faced many challenges in his life with strength, dignity, and an unwavering fortitude and determination that is an example to many.

Derrell is preceded in death by his wife Beverley, his parents, his infant daughter Tina Renay Watters, his sisters Mary Francis Lyons and Rena Ruth Osburn, and his brother Alvie (Buddy) Watters.

He is survived by his children; Regina Hilger, Terri Treat and husband Brad, and Michael Watters, his grandchildren; Heath Hilger, Skylar Watters, Macy Treat, Hunter Hilger and wife Raylynn, Nathan Watters, Austin Watters, and Haven Hilger. He is also survived by his siblings, Jimmy Watters and wife Pauletta, Chock Watters and wife Barbara, and Rickey Watters and wife Margaret as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers to please make memorial contributions in his name to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital c/o Dighton Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington St., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www. dightonmarler.com.