Former Ben Franklin spokeswoman, Kennewick civic leader dies at 74
Christy Watts, a long-time face of Ben Franklin Transit who narrowly lost a race for the Kennewick City Council, died Monday in Kennewick.
She was 74.
Watts was born in Phoenix and educated in San Jose State University. She called the Tri-Cities home for more than 34 years after meeting her husband, Brad Watts, a Kamiakin High grad, during an outing in San Diego.
In the Tri-Cities, she joined Tri-Cities Prep as development director in 1998, then became marketing and customer service manager for Ben Franklin Transit in 2002. She held that role until she retired in 2017.
Tri-Cities Prep said it was grateful for the time she spent contributing to the school’s early development.
Ben Franklin Transit said it was saddened to hear of her passing. Watts was a valued employee and a passionate advocate for public transportation, it said.
“(H)er leadership and dedication left a lasting mark on our agency,” it said in a statement to the Tri-City Herald.
In retirement, Watts signed on as administrator for the East Benton County Historical Museum at Keewaydin Park in Kennewick and served in various leadership roles.
Her resume included Columbia Center Rotary, the Kennewick Block Grant Advisory Community, the Human Services Coalition, United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, Carousel of Dreams, Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition and more.
In 2017, she ran for the Kennewick City Council seat being vacated by Bob Parks.
She ran on an expansive platform that stressed services and community against businessman Bill McKay, who ran as a fiscal conservative who favored minimal government.
She lost by fewer than 400 votes.
Watts was precedeased by her husband, who died in June, as well as a daughter, Deonna. She is survived by a son and daughter and numerous grandchildren.
Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home is handling her arrangements.
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM.