Kaye (Willard) Watters, 95, of Lebanon, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, in Lebanon.
She was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Yokohama, Japan, to Matsuo and Fute’Sudo Tanabe.
On July 21, 1950, she married Sergeant First Class Charles Willard. Together they had three daughters.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Minoru and Koichi Tanabe, one daughter, Barbara Brown, one son-in-law, Harold Armstrong and husbands, SFC Charles Willard, SFC Winford Lewis, and Lt. Col. Warren Watters.
Kaye became a United States Citizen on Dec. 22, 1955. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Lebanon for over 60 years. To support her family, she had numerous jobs, but her most loved job was when she worked in the Lebanon School District Food Services for 26 years, where she enjoyed spending time with co-workers and students. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
She is survived by her daughters, Jeanette Armstrong and Donna Cantrell and her husband Paul, seven grandchildren, Chris Brown and his wife Lori, Jamie Brown, Angie Myers and her husband Donnie, Eric Armstrong, Tammie Armstrong, Cammie Ruble and her husband Brandon, Nathaniel Ellsworth and 11 great-grandchildren.
There are will be a private graveside service for Kaye (Willard) Watters at a later date. She is to be cremated under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to First Congregational Church. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948, Lebanon, Mo. 65536. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
