Dean Watters

Rev. Dean Joseph Watters, 84, of Signal Mountain, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga following a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Shirley Pyatt Watters; his daughters, Vicki Hooper and Cindy Hoelke and his sons, Jeffrey and Jon Watters; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many close friends. Born and raised in Independence, Iowa, the son of Keith and Josephine Heckel Watters, he moved to Signal Mountain in 1988. After his graduation from high school, he served in the Navy, then returned to Iowa and worked at the Cedar Falls Fire Department where he reached the rank of Captain. A transforming event took place in 1973 when Mr. Watters made a profession of faith in Christ and entered into the ministry. He served as assistant and senior pastor at several churches until his retirement from Mount Carmel Baptist Church on Signal Mountain. He loved to share his faith, visit people where they were, and truly relished the friends he made. His expertise and reputation led him to be loved by people from all walks of life. Most importantly, he left a godly legacy for his family to follow.  Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Lane Funeral Home, Chattanooga with Chaplin Colonel Jeffrey Dean Watters officiating. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. today at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, 877-3524, www.lanefh.com.