Jesse "JC" Carlyle Watts, 82, of Mt. Sterling, KY passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at St. Joseph Hospital Main, Lexington, KY.  He was born January 18, 1943 in Winchester, KY to the late Carlyle Watts and Lauvenia Leake.  Jesse attended St. Patrick Catholic Church, retired from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and was a US Navy Veteran.  He owned and operated Womwell Automotive Parts Store and Machine shop, ITM printed circuit board business. He also enjoyed his years with Westling Manufacturing and as a Research and Design Engineer of equipment and tools for use by automotive technicians at Heartland Engineering. He was a member of the Lions Club and Coast Guard Auxiliary.   Some of his favorite hobbies were woodworking, boating, puzzles and he loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patsy Crouch Watts of Mt. Sterling, KY; son, Thomas Watts (Stephanie) of Mt. Sterling; daughter, Tricia Collier (John) of Nicholasville, KY; sisters, Brenda Frye of Kansas City, MO, Nell Manuel of Richmond, KY and Lori Blair (David) of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Caroline Jackson (Jed), Catherine Stephens (Jordan), John Will Collier and Patrick Collier, Brody Watts and Sadie Watts; great grandchildren, Wren Jackson and Ramsey Jackson; sister-n-law and brother-in-law, Billy and Chloe Ann Stewart; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Toni Oschwald; and grandchildren, Joseph Collier and Finn Collier.

Funeral services will be held 12 PM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father John Moriarty and Rev. Dr. Scott Holley, burial following at Longview Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 10 AM-12 PM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Brody Watts, John Will Collier, Patrick Collier, Jed Jackson, Jordan Stephens, David Manuel and Brad Manuel.  Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Reynolds, Johnathon Ballard, Gary Orme, Billy Stewart, John Collier, John Mahler, Mike Baskey, Wayne Wages, James Arnett, Bill Johnson and Don Oschwald.  Military rites will be performed at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.finnfest.live , a 501c3 non profit for Congential Heart Disease research.