Community Corner

Wheaton Mourns Fallen Hero

The funeral service for Spc. Samuel Watts of Wheaton are at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton.

Family and friends paid their respects to Spc. Samuel Watts at Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The fallen hero will be laid to rest after funeral services this morning at , 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton. Services begin at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Wheaton Cemetery.

Samuel T. Watts of Wheaton died Saturday, May 19 in Bethesda, MD of injuries sustained in an April 25 explosion while serving in Afghanistan. He was 20.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He was born August 14, 1991 in Elmhurst.

He attended St. John Lutheran School in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton North High School 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.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He joined the Army July 2010 as an Infantryman and attended training in Fort Benning, GA. He joined the 1-508th PIR in November 2010. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan, according to a release from the 82nd Airborne Division.

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

His awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist Badge, according to the release.

"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 Friday. "We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support."

Capt. Mike Kelvington, Bravo Company Commander with 1-508th PIR said in a statement, "Sam was a guy you wanted on your team; he was a fighter... From being an expert on the M240 Range with his assigned weapon to defying the odds when all the doctors said he shouldn't have lived; this long, he fought all the way to the end."

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.

Watts' body arrived at DuPage Airport in West Chicago by honorable transfer Saturday. He was included as one of the fallen heroes honored at the on Sunday, at the DuPage County government complex.

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


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here