BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: 2016 EAN photo of retiring Millbrook Council President Fred Watts, at right, presented a Resolution in his honor by Sen. Clyde Chambliss.
A former Millbrook City Council member and President is being remembered today, as word spreads of his passing Aug. 31.
Fred Watts was a retired Air Force Colonel, who saw service in Vietnam and many other areas in his tenure from 1963 to 1983. In Millbrook he and his wife Marilyn were extremely active in community service.
His years on the council were marked by huge growth in the Millbrook community. He was a trusted advisor to Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley, and would take young council members under his wing, helping them navigate through issues before the city.
Watts was praised for his work with the Alabama League of Municipalities. He also served as the Director of the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce.
The Conference room in the Municipal Building for Millbrook was renamed in his honor at the time of his retirement in 2016. Watts spent a lot of hours with council members past and present, addressing huge issues the city faced over the years.
The news of his death was announced this morning by his friend Mayor Kelley on the city’s Facebook page.
“It is with a great deal of sadness that I have to announce the death of a much-loved friend and council leader,” Mayor Kelley said. “Mr. Fred Watts, (former) Ward 5 Council Member, Council President and tremendous supporter of the Millbrook community passed away August 31 at his Gulf Shores home with his wife, Marilyn, and his family by his side. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
Watts retired as Council President in 2016 and at that time a huge number of citizens and loved ones gathered at the Millbrook Civic Center for a proper send off. That included a resolution from Sen. Clyde Chambliss honoring Watts’ lifetime of work for his country and his community.
Fred and Marilyn retired to Gulf Shores several years ago, but both have remained in the hearts and minds of all of those here in the area.
Current Millbrook Council President Michael Gay reflected back on his own experience with Watts when Gay was elected to the Council.
“It was an honor to have served on the council with Council President Fred Watts. He was a gifted and knowledgeable leader on the council. You could always call him and he would be a wealth of information on any issue. Fred’s municipal knowledge was well respected and sought after across the state. He encouraged me to get my certifications from the Alabama League of Municipalities. He would tell me it is my responsibility to learn all I can so that I can be the best council person for my constituents. He was right. After he left the council, he would send me notes of encouragement and congratulations on city matters. He always kept up with our work. He loved Millbrook. Fred, you will missed. Thank you for all you have done for others.”
Elmore County Commissioner Bart Mercer remembers Watts fondly as a level-headed individual who could read through a situation, and come up with a strong plan. His no nonsense approach to take on any issue was legendary.
“I remember the day Fred called me and said moving to Gulf Shores. He told me how much he appreciated working with me over the years. He has always been a friend and someone I could talk to. He was an amazing public servant. This is very sad news, but it can be said that his time in service to both his country and the City of Millbrook was extremely honorable,” Mercer said.
We do not have word of funeral arrangements at this time, but will share that information when it becomes available.
