Charles Timothy "Tim" Wattenbarger, 86, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at his home with his loving daughter by his side.

He was born on March 16, 1939, in Conasauga, TN., to the late Charles Clarence and Elsie Sharpe Wattenbarger.

Tim worked in construction and pipe fitting.  He founded Cleveland Automatic Sprinkler Company, a successful fire protection business, where he worked until his retirement in 2000.

Despite saying "he would never play golf" when his wife bought him a set of golf clubs, he later enjoyed playing golf, watching golf, talking about golf and winning golf tournaments.  He also enjoyed attending and watching TN football, TN basketball and TN baseball games.  Tim loved the state of Tennessee and everywhere his daughter went with him, they always ran into multiple people who knew him.  He was kind, giving, driven, and highly competitive.  Tim had a heart for Veterans, especially homeless and disabled Veterans.  He enjoyed life, time with family and friends, the outdoors, traveling, chocolate pie and always wanted to be "on the go".   He was a prankster, always making those around him laugh.

Tim was a Christian and attended Conasauga River Baptist Church.  His Faith was very important to him.  He proclaimed, "Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior".

In addition to his parents, Charles Clarence and Elsie Sharpe Wattenbarger, he is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Delores Taylor Wattenbarger; siblings, Warren (Nell) Wattenbarger, Mary Alice (Weyman) Henry; stepson, Ronald Wayne Pickler, Jr.; grandson, Gregory Brad Kaylor; nephew, David Henry.

Left to cherish the many memories include his loving daughter, Cheryl Wattenbarger Lavette of Atlanta; stepdaughters, Deborah Ann Pickler Kaylor, and Linda Pickler (Jerome) Broome, all of Cleveland; three grandchildren, Shanna Kaylor (Marcus) Cochran, Jared (Mariah) Broome and Jake (Tori) Broome; three great grandchildren, Easton Broome, Adalynn Broome and Barrett Broome; son-in-law, Gregory Lynn Kaylor.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Jeff Baggett officiating.  Interment will follow at Benton Memorial Gardens with military honors.  Steven Dintsch, Jerome Broome, Jared Broome, Jake Broome, Marcus Cochran, and Steve Hannah will serve as pallbearers.

His family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, his daughter wishes for contributions to be made to the Disabled Veterans at HelpDAV.org or to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFunerals.com.

Higgins Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.