Paul Watts passed away in his home in Huntsville, Alabama on March 12, 2025.

Paul was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. Intelligent, curious, and creative, he could build and fix anything. At the age of 17, he went to college in Georgia to study aviation maintenance. While away at school, and away from the home cooking he was used to, he developed the skills to create meals for himself and his classmates. This started a lifelong love of cooking. He would say," Don't worry about me, Mom. I can cook and I can build, and people need a meal and a place to live." He became a chef for the next 22 years.

Paul was an incredibly accomplished chef. For him, this vocation was just another way to provide for people. He loved feeding people, bringing joy through food and the community spirit that breaking bread together creates whether in a high end restaurant, or in a field over a campfire. Paul always found a way of bringing people together. He worked as a chef for restaurants in Alabama, New York, and London. He traveled the world feeding musicians and their crew on multiple world tours. On the road, he was known as"Bama".

Paul skipped to his own beat, not one to be told he couldn't or shouldn't do anything, which worked both in his favor and against. He was someone who loved deeply and fully. He loved music, nature, animals and the people around him, and his quiet warmth lit up any room. He cared so much, too much sometimes, and about everyone. He helped strangers and friends alike. No one was above or beneath him.

Paul's life was full of experiences and adventure. Along his journey he made many friends and his network of family and friends is far reaching. He is sure to never be forgotten and to be always missed. His legacy continues through his family: his loving parents, John and Carol, his sister, Kim, his son Elijah, and his two children, Max and Luna and their mother, Naomi Blume.

My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - It gives a lovely light (First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay)

There will be no funeral or burial as per Paul's wishes - just a walk in the woods. In Paul's memory, donations or volunteer service may be provided to the Land Trust of North Alabama and improvement of the Chapman Pines disc golf course. A celebration of life will be planned in the future.

Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.