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Wally Watts died early Monday morning (April 22, 2019) with a small satisfied smile on his face. He had fought his way back from coding on our floor in early February. He set a course for himself that had him drinking water, eating, exercising, getting off the catheter, and walking on his own. When he developed delusions, he wondered if it might be side effects from one of his medicines. It was and last week he was able to pass a mental status assessment with flying colors. He spent the last week of his life doing what he loved to do...planning and orchestrating a project to get himself out of the wing where he was staying. Monday was to be the day of his move and I think he was up early to see it begin. Unfortunately, the one thing he couldn't control and improve, his liver cancer and end stage liver disease caught up with him. I like to think this was the best possible resolution...he would have been miserable with the continuing degeneration of his mind and body. He died looking towards the future.
He treasured his time in Boulder City and we heard many happy stories of his younger days. He was hoping to get to the point where he could come visit BC and throw a party. You all meant a lot to him.
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Phil Hayes (1964)
When we were in school I lived just down Ave K from Wally, we shared quite a few good times there, It was easy to get in touch with each other in those days his phone number was 22 mine was 234. I was lucky enough to stay in touch through the years with Wally and his wife Sue. It was a great visit when they were able to stop by and see us in Pahrump on one of their many travels after thier retirement.
LeaRae Spendlove (Atwood) (1962)
I had only a passing acquaintance with Wally when we were children and also as teenagers. After reading about him as an adult I am so impressed with his love of life and also the high regard he had for his classmates. He is a model for all of us to emulate. How fortunate we are to have known him. My consolences to his wife Sue.
Mike Berry (1960)
Wally's wife Sue, here. Wally has been battling liver cancer for over a year...the result of a childhood interaction with carbon tet. As long as his liver was being treated by radiation, he remained in good health. However, once he could absorb no more radiation, the doctors at MD Anderson prescribed chemo. It did not go well.
At present, he is in hospice. He should have died two weeks ago due to liver failure but his determination to live is awe inspiring. He's even exercising and planning steps to get back on his feet. One of the things he was looking forward to before he was stopped was to re-visit Boulder City and to try to gather classmates/friends for a mini-reunion. He has been able to spend these last few weeks the way he wanted to...having conversations with the friends he has made here and planning/analyzing the best way to do things.
If you wish to send him a message, you could text him via my phone (505 709-0005) or send a card (but he may run out of time) to 4861 Yucca ST, Los Alamos, NM. 87544. He may be able to talk on the phone (same number). Thank you. He remembers his high school years with happiness.