In memory of Chuck Watts (1951-2026)

July 15, 2026/Rodney Sell/News

June 6, 1951 - June 13, 2026

Chuck Watts modeling his Elite Volunteer vest when they were first handed out

Chuck Watts was a long-time volunteer with Build Lebanon Trails (BLT). He was one of the first volunteers to achieve Elite Volunteer Status.

Chuck could easily be found helping at BLT events and trail workdays. He shared his smile and loving encouragement to everyone he met. He was a friend to everyone and truly appreciated every person and animal he crossed paths with.

For over ten years Chuck volunteered as a spotter along the Cheadle Lake Fun Run/Walk. He manned the same corner each year and loved helping participants find their way. And of course he assisted with setup and teardown. He was all-in for every job.

Chuck’s name is proudly displayed on several water brigade buckets recognizing his record attendance every summer helping water all newly planted trees along the trails.

We will miss him profoundly.

Community memories of Chuck

Here's what some who knew Chuck have to say. If you would like to contribute a memory, please fill out the short form below.

Community Memories

Chuck Watts was my Uncle. He loved volunteering and nature. He had a love of many hobbies and volunteering was very important to him. His ability to give back to his community was admirable. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing feedback from fellow volunteers. Thank you for providing my Uncle Chuck a wonderful place to be and people he cherished. He will be watching over us all. Sending much love to BLT and all of those who loved him. — Raenee Gross
It was always a pleasure to be around Chuck! He told me often how blessed he was. Our world needs more people with that attitude. I'll miss talking sports with him, especially his deep knowledge of baseball. — Darryl Black
I have known Chuck for so many years and actually knew his wife Dorothy before knowing Chuck. He was a great volunteer for Build Lebanon Trails and always had a smile on his face when lending a hand to any task. When one was around Chuck and Dorothy you could just feel the love between those two. God bless you Chuck and rest in peace. — Jan Diamantine
Chuck set the example of how to volunteer. He was always wearing a smile and never met a stranger. Chuck and I would ride on the back of the water tank trailer on which steps and hand grips were added to make the ride more comfortable. Chuck's love for every living creature was obvious every time you met him. He made sure to end your visit with "May God Bless65" — Rod Sell
Over the past 10 years I occasionally volunteered at some of the same BLT events as Chuck and got to know him a little. He always had a smile and a quiet kindness. I know he also had a regular volunteer job at the library and probably other places. He loved people and did so much to improve our community and I will miss greeting him. —Nancy Hildebrandt

Photo memories

We have assembled a gallery of photos of some of Chuck's volunteer work with BLT over the years that we think convey his joy in volunteering. Click any photo to see a larger version.

Three men standing outside Build Lebanon Trails car with driver — Chuck Watts (right) at the 2023 Lebanon parade

Six people walking on city trail, two with Build Lebanon Trails vests — Chuck Watts (in yellow vest on the right) at the Northside Trail walk in 2023.

Seven Build Lebanon Trails volunteers — BLT volunteers at the 2023 Lebanon Biz Expo from left: Darryl Black, Debra Grasley, Jim McKinnon, Jan Diamantine, Scott Grasley, Chuck Watts, Rod Sell

Attendees listen to event organizer — Jessica Ruef, organizer; Chuck Watts in BLT vest on the right

Two men digging up ground with shovels — Scott Grasley and Chuck Watts dig a hole for a tree on the new Old Mill Trail

Two men spray graffiti off a pier at Cheadle Lake — Rod Sell (left) and Chuck Watts (right) cleaning graffiti off a Cheadle Lake pier

Chuck sitting in a chair with a small dog — Chuck Watts with Rod and Raylene Sell's dog (and BLT mascot) Luna

Two BLT volunteers with a group of mostly children walking through grass — Chuck Watts (yellow vest, center) walking with a group of children at the BLT Bug Crawl event

Chuck Watts (in blue cap) talks to a group of Biz Expo visitors at the BLT table — A group of people at the Build Lebanon Trails table at the 2022 Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo event, sponsored by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce

Three BLT volunteers smiling — BLT volunteers Chuck Watts, Jim McKinnon, and Jan Diamantine at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo event.

Group of BLT volunteer in vests with two dogs at the BLT booth at the Old Mill Trail — Chuck Watts photographs two small dogs as other BLT volunteers look on

Two men in BLT vests doing trail work — From left: Rod Sell (BLT Board president) and Chuck Watts doing clearing work on the Eagle Scout Trail.

Eleven happy volunteers pose at a trail maintenance workday event — Chuck Watts (third BLT Vest from left) stands with a group of volunteers at a BLT trail workday

4 volunteers after a session pulling knotweed — 4 volunteers (Chuck Watts on the right) after a session pulling knotweed

Four Bucket Brigade BLT volunteers with a bucket behind them — From left: Darryl, Sherry, Chuck, Jim at end-of-season water brigade celebration

Ten BLT volunteer stand behind the BLT banner — Ten people volunteering to walk in the Lebanon parade with the BLT banner, Chuck Watts third from left.

Chuck Watts modeling his Elite Volunteer vest when they were first handed out

Two people marching with banner, Chuck pulling cart behind them — Chuck Watts pulls the BLT cart behind two people marching with a banner in the BLT parade

Ten work party volunteers posing for a photo — Work party volunteers with Chuck Watts posing in the second row with a blue BLT cap and shirt.

Three people in blue marching with a banner — Chuck Watts (right) waves to the crowd

Two men proudly share holding a bucket — Jim Lee and Chuck Watts share their bucket as winners for participation in the 2017 tree watering season

Three people resting near the water truck — Chuck Watts, Thad Nelson, and Carrie Simpson take a break during a tree watering session

4 folks with buckets at the mobile water tank — Watering trees, summer 2016 - Chuck is second from the left.

Man standing holding two buckets in front of a lake — Chuck Watts faithfully volunteered every year to water younger trees planted by BLT. He's shown here in 2016 at Cheadle Lake with watering buckets.

Please add your memory of Chuck

Chuck volunteered at other places in Lebanon and is well known in the community. We would love to collect comments on this page from people in the community who knew Chuck. If you submit a comment in the form below, it will appear on this page.

Submit comments about Chuck

2019 Bucket Brigade tree watering winner Chuck Watts

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