Jesse Wilber Watts passed away February 20, 1985 at age 77 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was born August 26, 1907 at Missouri Valley, Iowa to Jesse Wilmer Watts and Mary E. Watts (Green).

In 1921, he moved to his grandparents’ farm at Wiemerville, “Champ” and Harriet Donnelly, east of Blair cemetery.

Wilber attended the Blair Schools to his sophomore year, then went to work at Blair Canning Company and Blair Telephone Company and the first Safeway Store.

In 1930, Wilber made his debut over “WOW” radio as “Ukelele Ike” playing and singing with his ukulele. On February 2, 1928, Wilber was married to Emily Menard of Blair. This February 1985, they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

They moved to Omaha, and after WWII, he went to work for his brother Edward’s restaurant at Union, Nebraska. In 1953, they moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa and Wilber was employed at Levenson’s Exterminators of Omaha until his retirements.

He was a member of Excilsor Lodge 259 A.F.&W. The Lodge held services for him. The Rev. H.L. Wiscott of Clifton Presbyterian Church of Omaha officiated at church services. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Wilber is survived by his wife Emily, sons Robert, Warsaw, Illinois; Marvin and Jerry of Council Bluffs and two daughters Paulie Tompkins and Sharon Nichols of Council Bluffs. Twenty grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Kay Jarman of Blair, and Mrs. Dee Scott (Millrons) of Portland, Oregon. Many nieces and nephews and many other relatives. Two aunts on his mother’s side of the family survive him, Lydia Leggio of Crescent, Iowa and Goldie Hughs, Missouri. Wilbur is preceded in death by his parents, Jess Wilmer Watts and Mary E. Green and one brother, Edward Watts.