Roy Wyman Watring, 93, was called to eternal life on Friday, April 5, 2024.
Born to Burton and Virginia (Riffle) Watring on September 4, 1930, he was the second child of 8 children. He attended Kenosha schools and served in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and on the island country of Guam; where he perfected his skills in the sheet metal trade, working on military aircraft.
Upon returning from overseas he married the love of his life, Rita Schnaufer. Rita and Roy raised six loving children and have enjoyed the love and laughter of many grandchildren. Roy was self-employed and worked with his father and brothers in the heating, cooling and general contracting businesses. Roy loved skiing and was an accomplished downhill and cross-country skier, and a member of the Ski-Noshans ski club. Roy and Rita enjoyed many trips to the Rocky Mountains; usually with six kids in tow and a couple of their friends! He spent many fun-filled trips ‘Up-North’ and ‘Out West’, hunting and fishing with friends and family.
A true artist and a member of the Kenosha Art Association, he won many first prizes for his sculptures, which depict his love of life, sense of humor, and human love. His work has been greatly influenced by Gustav Vigeland, whom he discovered on his first of 12 trips to Norway. He was also a well-read Vincent Van Gogh enthusiast who sought out original Van Gogh works on travels to Holland and Paris.
Roy’s strength and kind character never faltered and will be the hallmark of his memory. His joy was his family, teaching, praying, and telling good stories until his last moments.
Of the many left to cherish his memory are his brother Robert (Marianne) Watring, his sister Anna Mae Spreckels, and countless nieces and nephews. His legacy of kindness will continue through his six children; Mark Watring, Christopher (Sue Arber) Watring, Carolyn (Espen) Magnussen, Janis (Thomas) Barnhill, John (Rowena Fiebig) Watring, Amy (Ryan) Shackelford and grandchildren Franklin Petretti-Watring, David Petretti-Watring, Joseph Watring, Jade Watring, Aaron Glembocki, Phillip Magnussen, Gabriella Magnussen, Leo Magnussen, Andrew Barnhill, Nicholas Barnhill, Jason Barnhill, Zachary Watring, Andria Watring, Brynna Watring, Cloey Watring, William Shackelford, Charles Shackelford, and great-grandchildren Franchesca Petretti-Watring, Hailey Glembocki, Aaron Glembocki Jr., Hermine Magnussen, Sebastian Magnussen, Royland Lovejoy-Barnhill, Ava Barnhill, and Ezra Udechukwu.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday April 16th 2024 at 10:00AM at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. (714-49th Street) A visitation with the family will be on Tuesday at the church from 8:30AM until the time of Mass. Burial will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery.
