Paula Heath Watz, age 79, Branson, Missouri

Paula Heath Watz, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Paula was born on January 25, 1944, to Garner and Ruby Heath in Exira, IA. Paula was the youngest of four children. Paula attended Exira High School and was an all-state basketball player selected to play on the first women’s Iowa All Star Basketball Team primarily due to averaging 46 points per game her senior year. She also was a participant in the first Iowa girls state track meet. After graduating in 1962, she attended Northwest Missouri State University and earned an education degree in English. Paula was a loving sister, a mother of two sons and with the love of sport and competition enjoyed following her sons and grandchildren in all of

their school sports and activities.

Paula’s first teaching job was in Maryville, MO, where she taught English, coached cheerleading, basketball, and track. She then moved to Clarinda, IA, where she taught for six years and most importantly met David Watz, who would become the love of her life. The couple saw an opportunity and moved to Branson in 1983 where they would both work in the school district. Paula taught at Branson Middle School for 20 years. The beloved name given to her by students was “Coachie.” Paula and Dave could be found keeping stats at Branson football and baseball games from 1984 to 2010. Even after retirement, both Paula and Dave could be found keeping stats, substituting, or attending sporting events.

Paula was full of energy and had an impeccable work ethic. She spent countless summers working at The Tracks with her primary responsibility of keeping the grounds beautiful because of her love for flowers and digging in the dirt. She loved everything about gardening and was very talented and knowledgeable about plants, flowers, and shrubbery. After retirement, Paula ventured to Silver Dollar City where she enjoyed interacting with the public for over ten years.

Paula celebrated 40 years of marriage to David P. Watz on January 1, 2023. They spent a full life together and enjoyed many things including motorcycle rides, Chicago Cubs, house cats, following UCONN Women’s basketball and keeping up with their grandchildren. Their home was

uniquely decorated with Cubs memorabilia on one level and a mountain theme with moose and pine on the other. Paula’s creative talents and her eye for detail left no naked space to be found.

Truly one of a kind, Paula had the kindest of hearts. Coachie always put her students first at school and in her final three years she taught Special Education. Paula spread love by sharing her bounty of plant seedlings and flower bulbs. After any visit to see Paula and Dave you could count on leaving with something Paula wanted you to have. Paula leaves behind her three rescue cats and if she would have had her way, she would have added a dog to the mix.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents and older brother Dick Heath. Paula leaves behind her siblings, Sherry Reeves and Linda (Dale) Nelson, her husband, sons John (Kendra) Helsel and Heath (Heather) Helsel, and grandchildren, Bo (Becca) Helsel, Tee (Aubrey) Helsel, Dax

Helsel, Shay (Cooper) Latture, Kaden Helsel, Trace Helsel, Payton and Luke McCormick. Great grandchildren include Cali, Amaya, and Hudson Helsel and Lexis Latture.

A celebration of life will be held April 16th at Cremation of the Ozarks, 115 Industrial Park Drive in Hollister, Missouri. A public visitation will be held from 1:30pm-3:30pm followed by a private ceremony to scatter her ashes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the

Humane Society of Branson. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsofhteozarks.com.