Omer Watté, 93, of Corvallis, formerly of Albany, peacefully went home to his Savior on Wednesday morning.

Omer was born in Los Alamitos, Calif., to proud parents Oscar and Anna Watté, who arrived as Belgian immigrants near the turn of the century. Omer learned farming from his parents who were the first to start growing sugar beets in Los Alamitos. Being the oldest of four boys, Omer stayed home during World War II to help his parents continue farming, enlisting in the National Guard. He married Evelyn Powell in 1939.

As ranches were being sold off for development, Omer and Evelyn bought a bar and cafe with slot machines. When slot machines were once again outlawed they sold the bar and cafe but stayed around to help his folks on their farm. After the war, Omer and his lovely wife, Evelyn, moved to Woodville, Calif., to continue the lifestyle of a farmer and so his brothers would have the opportunity to continue farming on their parents' place. The move to Woodville included a dairy and growing alfalfa, corn and cotton. After many years, Omer sold the dairy/ranch and moved his family to Grants Pass.

Omer was a man of many talents. In Grants Pass he raised livestock on his home place as well as open range on Mount Sexton. He particularly enjoyed rounding up and moving cattle with his horses, boots, spurs, his eldest son and fellow cowboys. He was a cattle broker moving many head around Southern Oregon. He was also a real estate broker and bought and resold properties and then later owned a Mobil gas station with a shop that serviced Pacific Power and Light (PP&L) trucks. After that venture he worked as a millwright, taking him away from home during the week working for Linn-Pacific in Albany.

He eventually moved his family to Albany in 1967. There he continued as a millwright, he had a gas station supply route selling tools and automotive products, and then sold minerals and mineral feeders for livestock around Oregon and California. He also was a salesman for the local Case tractor dealer. He worked for Forslund Construction and also for the Albany School District as a bus mechanic. He also worked as an Oregon state brand inspector for a number of years and finally when he wanted to "slow down," he bought a franchise with the Conklin Company selling and promoting their products. He also brought both of his sons into this business.

Omer was involved in many Albany fraternal organizations including the Elks, the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus, but most importantly his generosity and his love for his family and church will be most remembered.

He adored his family and was a wonderful caregiver in later years to Evelyn who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Those who knew him will remember him as a wonderful husband, father and friend who always had a story to tell.

He is survived by his two sons, Paul and Richard Watté; daughters-in-law Julie and Karen; grandchildren, Steve and Tessa Watté, Juhree and Cory Brownson, Tiffany Watté, and Bridget, Renee and Amanda Watté; great-grandchildren Annalee Watté, Nickolas Cantrell, and Layne, Cael and Zander Brownson.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Evelyn; his parents; and his three brothers.

A rosary vigil will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29 at Aasum-Dufour Funeral Home across from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, March 30, at St. Mary's with burial to be at the Jefferson Cemetery.

In place of flowers, the family request donations are made to the Benton Hospice Service or the Arthritis Foundation.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).