Earnest Watley
July 30, 2015
Earnest Watley, 74, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 30, 2015, at his home under the loving care of his wife and surrounded by family.
Family will begin greeting friends at 11:00 a.m., with funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Interment will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Earnest was born July 7, 1941, in Vernon, Oklahoma, the son of Willy and Marybell Watley. On October 11, 1976, he was baptized and received the Holy Spirit under presiding bishop Jerimiah Reed at Christ Apostolic Temple. He was a devoted husband and father and a faithful Christian man. He was a dedicated deacon, enjoyed playing bass for the church, and was involved in many church activities. Earnest was an entrepreneur, holding many different jobs in his lifetime. He collected antique cars and loved singing gospel songs.
Earnest is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Watley; daughters, Julmyra (Thomas) Wright and Jomyra Watley; father, Willy Watley; and siblings, Clifford Watley, Rory (Beverly) Watley, James (Marie) Watley, Fredale Watley, Willy Jr. (Charlotte) Watley, Sammy (Aretha) Watley, Doris Watley, Gloria Watley, and Mary Watley. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were truly loved, as well as many nieces, nephews, and church family. In addition to their daughters, Earnest and Linda helped raise an additional 16 children and fostered over 100 children.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marybell Scott Watley and his brother, Chester Watley. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Earnest.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Chris
06/18/2023
Hey dad, its Chris. Youve been gone awhile and I wish you couldve seen how much I changed. Im fully my own person and I got good things coming. I promise to make you proud and do great things. I miss you so much and wish I could hear you play the bass one more time. Love you pops forever
linda watley
07/05/2016
one year will be here and i still cant get over his home going i cherish .
LindaWatley
12/02/2015
He was with us on Thanksgiving,I could hear him on my birthday Dec1 telling me to get my gift, but with out him here its not the same. No gift would make me happy . My love and heart is still with him.
-love his wife
Linda Watley
09/11/2015
Its is so sad to see a stranger had defiled the remain of someone you love .I know he not there,but did someone have to ride over the site of his grave? and even made tracks over its . who could do a thing like that? I wish i would had place your remain some were else.
Linda Watley
08/31/2015
Its, been a month now ,and oh how he's been missed.When you cant hear the voice of your other.you miss the laughter,comfort,love of each other .
Q. Watley
08/08/2015
To my Father, My Dad, my soldier, my role model, my superman, my confidant, my partner in crime,and to the only MAN that I respected enough to take HIS last name, you will truly be missed. I was your adopted daughter, but you were MY real Dad.The only thing that makes your home going easier, is knowing your in a better place. Our family didn't say it enough, but I love you dad and will always cherish the good and the not so good time spent together.
Forever Loved and never forgotten.
Quana Watley
Linda Watley
08/06/2015
To the Higgins , and Watley kids.He loved you dearly and forgave you for everything. Let's not think about the past, let's start over and move on. You might just feel bad about what had happened, but he forgave us all.
Terry, Kim, Brother Flax and Family
08/06/2015
To Mother Watley and Family we are sorry for the loss of a very nice man who we known as Deacon Watley! When I was learning to play guitar it was blessing and privilege when he let me use his amplifier back in the 80s at the Temple! I have always valued the things I remember from your husband that gave and encouraged the importance of being a great provider and family man since Ive know him and your family! The last time I seen Deacon was at Wal-Mart and his smile could light up anybodys day, know matter what we were going through.
We Love all of you and God Bless!
2 Corinthians 5:8
Curtis & Wanda Patton
08/05/2015
"To my sister and her family we said a prayer of sympathy to you and your family . To console you and comfort you and your family with love at this time of sorrow.
With love
Norm Hill
08/03/2015
To the family of Earnest, we will miss seeing him in Ames on Wednesdays. He always was a joy to talk with. We always looked forward in seeing him. He will be missed. Our thoughts go out to you all.
Jahira Watley
08/03/2015
To dad,
I miss him very much, and I wish he could've stayed longer.The moments I had with him I'll cherish forever. I can still see him sitting in his chair playing the bass, asking me to sing along. Dad was the only father I knew, now that he's gone, I don't want any other dad ! I loved the things he did I thought some things, were funny. He was a agoraphobic , I thought that was hilarious! He had great manners too, he didn't deserve that horrible disease.
Overall , Dad's in a better place now. A place with no pain or worries. You never know what you have, until it's gone.
Linda Watley
08/03/2015
To,my husbands friends and family, we appreciate all the love that you showed to him over the period of his life. We know he went to heaven, in peace he went.
Curtez patton
08/01/2015
To the family of my uncle he will truly be miss. God had called home a good Soldier. He was a good hard working man and a loving man. Is favorite place to eat at was hy-vee. I remember there was time when I would go to hy-vee and there he was just setting at the table eatting his food. And talking with people. I remember when he use to come over to my mom and dad house we would be down stair playing Gospel Music. He play the bass my dad play the guitar and I would play the drums we would have a good time. I will truly miss u uncle Ernest I love yu so much TEZ Patton
Roy & Beverly Watley
08/01/2015
Deepest sympathy to our brother Ernest and his wife Linda Watley & children. He will be truly missed!
Moe & Helen Antonio
08/01/2015
PTL!! HOLD ON OLE SOLDIER!!! The battle is still yours( OUR SISTER) were marching together through this rough and rocky road to different beats and timeless struggles,but its always GOOD to know EVERLASTING PEACE,LOVE,JOY and HAPPINESS is at hand ..encouragement from one sister to another sister...Praying for you and the family..Love the Antonios