William Watts
Bill Watts (he/him/his) was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Ohio. Although, growing up he did not realize his family was poor compared to his neighbors (no running water, no inside bathroom, etc. until his senior year) because he did not lack anything since the farm provided all the food (from the garden and from various animals) his family needed except for flour, sugar, and spices. In short, Bill did not want anything and was taught a work ethic that one always gives one hundred plus percent. His mom always said anything is possible, one must determine what you want and go for it. In high school, Bill was told by my guidance counselor that he should not go to college and just be happy being a farmer. Well, that was enough motivation, so Bill graduated with a chemistry major from Otterbein College and joined Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1968. He went to graduate school in the evening to obtain a Masters of Polymer Science from Akron University. Then he decided to take advanced MBA classes at Case Western. Bill worked in Goodyear Research for 12 years developing scientific principles of mixing, then moved to Development for 8 years working with 53 plants around the world on mixing technology, and then in 1990 was asked to be in charge of the Mixing technology in the Goodyear Engineering Department where his staff included mechanical, electronical, control logic and processing technology persons in charge of developing mixing technology and supporting 53 plants worldwide. He had the good fortune to travel to fifty-three countries during his Goodyear career. Bill received fifteen patents and six technology awards, two Goodyear Spirit Awards and the Dinsmore Award—the most prestigious technical award given to a Goodyear employee. After retiring in 2010 Bill continued to be a Goodyear consultant and a technical adviser to Kobelco, a Japanese company, for six years at 30% of the time.
Once Bill retired in 2010, Bill could finally become more involved in justice issues. In 2010, he became Chair of East Ohio Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action and continues to be their chair. He also became treasurer of East Ohio Reconciling Ministries in 2010 and still is their treasurer. He joined the Uniontown Lions in 2010 because of eyeglass recycling and in 2016 became the Uniontown Eyeglass Recycling Coordinator which serves almost half of Ohio for 39 other Lions Clubs related to eyeglass recycling for mission trips. In 2014, he joined the National MFSA Finance Committee and in 2015 became the National MFSA treasurer serving from 2015 through end of 2024. He has served as lay delegate for Uniontown United Methodist Church since 2010. In 2015, he received the Bishop James S Thomas Leadership award for his excellent leadership in peace and justice ministries in the church, community and world. In 2017 was honored as Lion of the Year! In 2019, elected as an East Ohio Conference delegate to United Methodist Church General Conference in 2024 and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2023 and 2024. In 2019, In 2021, organized the Uniontown UMC to become community mission focused! In 2022 became a member of the East Ohio Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation Committee.
Bill and his wife Joy of 56 years, have three children and seven grandchildren.
Contact Bill at gro.bewasfm@llib