Soldier Honorably Transferred to Wheaton for Burial

Spc. Samuel Watts' body arrived at DuPage Airport in West Chicago Saturday morning to be buried in his hometown cemetery in Wheaton.

, of Wheaton died May 19, in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained in an explosion April 25, in Zharay, Afghanistan.

He was born August 14, 1991 in Elmhurst.

He attended in Wheaton and graduated from in 2010. He was an avid BMX biker, and a student at Technology Center of DuPage in Addison in the Fire Science program, and hoped to serve as a fireman after his service in Afghanistan.

"Sam was a really, really good guy and well loved in our community. We are so proud of what our son has done and are truly humbled by the outpouring of prayers and affection," Watts' mother Susan Watts said in a statement Friday. "We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support."

Watts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Susan Watts; two sisters, Sarah and Abigail; a brother, Andrew; his paternal grandmother, Ruth; his maternal grandfather, Paul; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A visitation will be held from 3-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at , 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., in Wheaton, IL. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

He will also be included as one of the fallen heroes honored at the at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at the DuPage County government complex, 421 County Farm Road, Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project, 1111 W 22nd Street, #620, Oakbrook, IL 60523.