R.I.P Bill Watts
I got the news late Sunday morning, the 12th of February, that Bill (Billy) Watts had passed away that morning. What a shock. I kept thinking, how could this be? I was sure that Bill would finally be there the next time some of the Behnke gang would meet at Remington’s in Beltsville. But I guess God had other plans.
I first met Bill when he started helping with security at Behnke Nurseries. Then, after he retired from the Prince George’s Police Department, he came to work at Behnke’s full-time in the Garden Shop.
Bill had such a way about him that made you want to listen when he was answering questions. You could tell he knew what he was talking about, and you would always find a crowd of customers and employees around him listening in. But even better was his sense of humor. Bill could crack a joke with a straight face that would make me look up and think, did he say that? Then I would look over, and we would both laugh. And the stories that man could tell. If you were lucky enough to have met Bill over the years at Behnke’s, you know what I am talking about.
Bill loved his aquatics, and wrote some great articles for Behnke’s about them. When I started the fairy garden area, Bill was my biggest supporter and was creating tiny gardens at his home for his grandchildren. So when I bought this big display for the fairy garden area, Bill had to have it for his grandchildren. At the end of the day, we would often see Bill pushing a cart full of perennials to the check out counter! I know his yard had to be amazing!
Always the first one to work, Bill was the go-to guy for everything and kept an eye out to ensure everything was going okay.
One of the finest people I have ever known, Bill, you will be missed by everyone from your Behnke family.
R.I.P Bill 🙏🙏🙏~
Dear Stephanie,
I just read your tribute to Bill Watts. You shared so many good things about him. He was a member of our church, First United Methodist, Main Street, Laurel. I’m a member of the church’s Altar Service Guild. Bill would always call to let me know when I could start to take orders from our church members for the beautiful Behnkes Christmas poinsettias and the breathtaking Behnkes Spring flowers for Easter.
Some of what you saw Bill hauling from your nursery was what he planted at the church. He didn’t want any recognition for beautifying our grounds. He loved working in the soil and making all the plants look good. He would often work on his plantings when no one was at the church. We now have a living memorial to Bill. 💜
Thank you for sharing the photo of Bill with his grandson, Logan Linzey. Logan and his twin sister Lily are teenagers now. I know their mom, Krista, and Bill’s wife, Jan, along with all of his family and friends will miss him and cherish the memories of all the love and kindness Bill shared.
Thank you for sharing your special memories of Bill.
Take care,
Julie Hildebrand
Thank you so much for sharing more about Bill for us. I know how much he loved his family and church and I am sure working in the gardens made him so very happy. I still remember the day I took that photo of him with his grandchild. It was during our Dog Days of August. Bill never wanted me to take his photo and never share it online but I caught this one and showed him. I got one of his smiles and he asked for a copy. Know that the entire Behnke family has all of Bills family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie, you are a joy to know of. Enjoying your writing of memories from early to now.
I did know Mama Cassidy and enjoy once and a while Eva’s music (her CD). Mr Bill Watts, knew him very well.
Had a job at his neighbor for a few years. His garden was a testament of the Behnke nurseries.
Of course we all know John Reed. He is a person you love the minute you talk to him.
Not the least the remembrance of Steffie, her brother and their mom Sonja.
Love Jan L.
Hi Jan! Thank you for writing and for reading all my ramblings. I know you knew many of Behnke’s Best as you are also one too. Bill touched so many lives from being a police officer through his time working at Behnke’s he was such a good friend to everyone.