BATON ROUGE – Valery "V" Watts, founder and owner of V. Watts Furniture died Thursday at Baton Rouge General.

He was 83 years old.

Along with V. Watts Furniture, Watts was the founder and owner of V. Watts Autioneers and V. Watts Trade Mart in Livingston. Watts was an auctioneer who donated much of his time to holding fund raising auctions for organizations such as the National Rifle Association, Wounded Warriors, Ducks Unlimited and many private schools.

He is survived by children, Aldrich and Sherry Watts, Nolan and Tammy Hardy, Philip and Dana Watts, Mike and Teleah Powell, Ryland Watts, John Wesley Powell, and their mother, Martha Ann Powell. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Ulma Norwood; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marvin Henderson, Wayne and Carolyn Henderson, Dale and Sue Henderson and Mildred Henderson; countless nieces and nephews and friends that considered him Paw Paw, Brother and best friend.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lavern Henderson Watts; parents, Sterlin and Gertrude Watts; father and mother-in-law, J.L. and Gladys Henderson; grandson, Jacob C. Watts; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Ballard and Willie Norwood.

Visitation will be at Fundamental Baptist Church located at 24240 Frost Road in Livingston on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation will resume Sunday, Nov. 27, from 1 p.m. until service at 2:30 p.m. The service will be officiated by Watts' best friend Bro. Rusty Silvertooth. Burial will be at Fundamental Baptist Church Cemetery.