Watts Bannister Stroman of Hendersonville, NC entered heaven peacefully on August 16, 2019, with his wife Mary by his side. Born March 23, 1941, on Wampee Plantation in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, he was the son of Jean Way Harvey and Watts Bannister Stroman, Sr. Watts grew up in the city of Orangeburg and after attending Asheville School for Boys, earned a BS in Chemistry and Mathematics at Wofford College.
After serving as a Lieutenant in the Army, Watts received a JD from The University of South Carolina/School of Law. His early professional experience included serving as general counsel with Carolina Pipeline in Columbia and Autodynamics in Orangeburg.
He opened his private law practice in Pawleys Island, where he and his wife, Mary, lived for 40 years. He was active in his faith at All Saints Episcopal Church serving as Senior Warden, Chairmen of Search Committees, Sunday school teacher, and prayer Ministry Leader. He also joyfully participated in Renewal Conferences. Upon his move to Lake Lure in 2006 Watts was a faithful communicant at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, NC.
Watts was very community-minded, serving as President of Rotary and Sertoma Clubs, and Pawleys Island Litchfield Business Association. Watts was Board Treasurer at Camp Baskervill, then a Pawleys Island outreach program of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.
He was a competitive, athletic man and especially relished being on the beach sailing his Hobie Cat.
Three years ago he and his wife, Mary Bennett Stroman, moved to Hendersonville from their Lake Lure home. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children Harvie Stroman Harris, Graham Gault, Jean Stroman Warren, Patrick Gault, and Bennett Gault; sisters Nonie Baker and Jean Frances Stroman; cousins Pat Terry Gardner and Harvey Terry; eight grandchildren and very special nephews and nieces. Watts was preceded in death by his beloved dogs.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 1:30 pm in the Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service, with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803; or to Four Seasons Foundation designated to The Elizabeth House (Hospice), 211 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.