Nathan L. Watford

Nathan L. Watford, Machinist's Mate Third Class (USN), 20, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, December 20, 2010. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00 P.M. Monday, January 3, 2010 at Berrien Center Bible Church, 8830 M-140 in Berrien Center with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit Sunday, January 2, 2010 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Five Pines Ministries for a new climbing tower. Memorials may be sent directly to Five Pines (6597 Smith Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102) or given online at nathanwatford.chipin.com. Those wishing to share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Nathan was born February 10, 1990 in St. Joseph, MI to Trent & Lynelle (Priebe) Watford. He worked at Espress-Go for three years during high school. After graduation from high school, Nathan enlisted in the Navy. Because he scored exceptionally high on the ASVAB test, he was given the opportunity to be trained at the Naval Nuclear Power School, Goose Creek, SC. For each segment of his training he earned the highest GPA among those in his class. In November 2010, he completed his training and after a 30-day leave reported to his assignment in Guam for submarine duty as an ELT (Engineering Laboratory Technician) on the USS Buffalo. Nathan was survived by his parents Trent and Lynelle Watford of St. Joseph; brother Second Lieutenant Jonathan Watford (USAF) of Corpus Christi, Texas; grandparents Sieg and Miriam Priebe of Baroda, grandparents Chalmous and Ellen Watford of South Bend, Indiana, uncle and aunt Steve and Karen Priebe of Memphis, TN, uncle and aunt Dick and Nancy Rooker of Warsaw, Indiana, uncle and aunt Wayne and Lana Watford of Phoenix, Arizona, three cousins, and many great aunts and uncles. We will deeply miss Nathan for the very special person that he was. Most of all, we will always be grateful that God gave us the privilege of twenty years with him.