Paul T. Watts, 26, killed in Accident

Paul Thomas Watts, 26, of 612 W. Main St., Olney was dead on arrival at Richland Memorial Hospital at about 11:30 this morning, following an automobile accident.

Details of the accident were not available early this afternoon. Available information indicates that he was returning to his home in Olney from the Klier Farm near Newton, when the accident occurred about eight miles south of Newton.

The car he was driving reportedly left the road and went across railroad tracks and into a field.

Mr. Watts was born in Chicago August 8, 1948. His mother, Mrs. Jane Watts Klier, is supervisor of nursing services at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.

He resided with his grandmother, Mrs. Paul (Helen) Jenkins.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) – August 8, 1974

Paul Thomas "Tom" Watts, 26, was fatally injured in a highway accident Thursday morning August 8, 1974. Interment in the Noble Cemetery.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Klier of Olney; grandmother, Mrs. Helen Jenkins of Olney; and three step-brothers, Lee, Robert and Ross Klier, all of Newton.

His grandfather, Paul Jenkins, preceded him in death.

The accident which caused his death, occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on State Rt. 130 about a mile south of the Ste. Marie Road in Jasper County.

The Watts car, a 1964 Buick, was southbound when it left the highway in a southeast direction, went across the Illinois Central Railroad tracks and severed a utility pole.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Richland County Deputy Coroner, Wayne Zirkle, swore in a coroner's jury at the hospital last evening and will conduct an inquest at a later date.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)