Eric "Opie" Watt
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Eric "Opie" Watt was born on July 10,1963, and passed on July 8th, 2022, at the age of 58. Opie was born in Sarasota, Florida but grew up in Farragut, Tennessee with his siblings Rachel, Janee, and Chuck, under the loving care of his parents, Bob and Betty Watt. Opie enlisted in the Air Force shortly after graduating high school and spent the next 22 years traveling the world. His career as a Flight Engineer led him to Charleston, South Carolina where he fell in love with his wife, Sonya. They married in 1990 and raised two boys, Jacob and Jackson, who have since followed in their father's footsteps to military service. After retiring from the military in 2004, Opie moved on to the private sector and worked with The Boeing Company as a technical writer before being promoted to project manager. His success led to an opportunity to move from their home in Crestview, Florida to Edmond, Oklahoma in 2018.
In addition to his love for aircraft, Opie was an avid outdoorsman, a self-taught musician, and a devoted Christian. He was deeply involved in his home church, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Crestview, serving as a mentor, friend, and musician for the congregation for most of his time in Florida. He further acted as a member and mentor in faith with his involvement at Henderson Hills Baptist Church where he led a men's bible study group. Known for his quick wit and big personality, Opie was a devoted husband, loving father, and faithful friend. Opie is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Sonya Sande Watt; sons Jacob (Jessica) Watt of Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Jackson Watt of Wichita, Kansas; mother, Betty Watt of Cleveland, Tennessee; uncle Butch Woodward of Cleveland, Tennessee; aunt Dottie Vining of Lenoir City; Tennessee, sisters Rachel (Alan) David of Cleveland, Tennessee and Janee (John) Cates of Southern Pines, North Carolina; and brother Chuck Watt of Knoxville, Tennessee.
The family requests that all flowers be sent to Crawford Funeral Service and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation. There will be a visitation July 15th from 5-7 pm at Crawford Family Funeral Service in Edmond, OK. A memorial service will be held on July 16th at 10 am, at Henderson Hills Baptist Church to celebrate his life.