Watson C. "Wats" Hubbard, 76, of Pleasant Prairie, passed away on Friday, April 18th, 2008, at Kenosha Hospital & Medical Center. Born on January 4, 1932, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Watson K. and Susan (Schwartz) Hubbard. He received his education in local schools and was a graduate of Wilmot High School in 1950. He was enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1954. He was stationed aboard the USS Lake Champlain during the Korean Conflict. On April 24, 1954, he married Marlene M. VanDerZee at Holy Name Church in Wilmot, WI. Wats Hubbard joined the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department as a volunteer in 1958. He was appointed the department's first full time chief in 1978, a position which he held until taking medical retirement in 1985. During his tenure as chief, he was a tireless advocate for progress and training in the Kenosha County Fire Service, and became known and respected throughout the area for his efforts, as well as his warm and welcoming attitude towards anyone who sought his help. He served a term as president of the Kenosha County Fire Chief's Association, and also served as an officer in the Kenosha County Waterfight Association. Wats, along with former Silver Lake Fire Chief Rich Harrison, were the first Fire Service officials to propose consideration of forming the first Wisconsin MABAS Division in Kenosha County. He was a member of the Kenosha Technical College Fire Training Advisory group, and never missed a year of the Kenosha County Firefighter's Association Bowling Tournament. Wats was a strong advocate of advancing Kenosha County's EMS program to the EMT-Intermediate level. To that end, he traveled to meetings in Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Madison to assist in pleading the case for this program. He was a member of the first group of nationally registered EMTs that formed the Pleasant Prairie Rescue Squad. He was also a prominent committee member, organizer, and worker at the annual Pleasant Prairie Celebration Days, as well as the Annual Firemen's Dance. He was a past member and officer of the Pleasant Prairie Firemen's Association. He was also a past member of the Wisconsin Firefighters Association, and the Wisconsin Fire Chief's Association. His genuine love for the fire and emergency services extends throughout his family. Wats’ grandfather was the chief of the Kenosha Fire Department. His father was a member of Kenosha Fire. His brother was a Kenosha County Sheriff's deputy; his son-in-law is a former member of the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department. His grandson Kevin is a current member of the Pleasant Prairie and Somers fire departments, his wife Marlene was a long time member and former officer of the Pleasant Prairie Fire Women's Auxiliary and his daughter Patty trained and served as a 911 dispatcher. Numerous area firefighters will tell you that "Wats" was the greatest chief for whom they have ever worked. His passing is a true end of an era in the history of the Kenosha County Fire Service. He was a former member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and a current member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He co-owned and operated with his wife, The Badger Cheese Market, which he bought from his father. He was a life member of VFW Post 1865 and the Moose Lodge 286. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, woodworking, going to his cabin up north and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marlene of Pleasant Prairie; a son, Bruce (Diane) of Antioch, IL; two daughters, Sue (Steve) Hanna of Ottawa, IL, and Patty Spain of Kenosha; a brother, Robert J. Hubbard of Kenosha; a sister, Muriel (Leslie) Halladay of Salem; two sisters-in-law, Elaine Maleski of Bozeman, MT, and Eleanor Hall of Kenosha; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffery; two nieces, Mary Ellen Hahn and Marsha Bousson; two nephews, Craig Maleski and Michael McCue; and a brother-in-law, Gaylord Maleski. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 25th, from Proko Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. Mass to be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at All Saints Mausoleum with full military and firemen’s honors. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue Association or the American Heart Association would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Watson's Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com