Dennis Watts

Dennis R Watts, 77, of Chesapeake, VA, passed away peacefully in his home on July 31, 2026. He was born on January 18, 1949, in Portsmouth, VA to Robert Watts Jr. and Janis Godfrey Watts. As a navy family, they lived in many places, but Dennis cited Martinez, CA as where he grew up. He graduated from College Park High School in 1967, attended Diablo Valley Junior College from 1968-69, and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from California State University, Chico, in 1972 (after a stint in 1971 in the naval reserves).

Dennis then followed his family back to the Norfolk, VA area, where he began a 36-year career in IT for the City of Virginia Beach. Along the way, he became a husband and father, read a lot of books, told a lot of jokes, and listened to a lot of classic rock. He was the family genealogist, an avid chess player, and an even more avid moviegoer (always with popcorn with layered butter).

He was most proud of his family, and he leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Susan Curling Watts; his daughter Allison (Ben Davis) of Newport News, VA; his daughter Rebecca (Ben Tipper) of Poole, England; and four grandsons: Asher and Oliver Davis, and Leo and Henry Tipper. Dennis is also survived by his sister, Linda George, as well as his nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:00AM, with Reverend Randy Timmerman officiating. Dennis will be laid to rest in Capeville Masonic Cemetery, Capeville, VA, next to the church where he and Susan were married.

Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home of Exmore, VA.