Melanie Kay (Watts) Degner

Melanie Watts Degner, age 62 of Billings.

September 9, 1962 to November 23, 2024

Melanie (Mel) Watts was born in Miles City, MT on September 9, 1962, to Harvey and Frankie Watts. Mel was the youngest of five children. She attended school in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1980.

Mel moved to Billings in the early 1980’s and worked many years for tv stations in the area, most recently KTVQ. She had her daughter, Shelby Metz, on July 12, 1998. Her daughter, Shelby, was one of the biggest joys of her life.

Mel married Mike Degner on June 17, 2006 in a beautiful backyard ceremony where she got her cowboy and they made their home. She loved spending time with family and friends, whether it was her annual girl’s night out, which eventually turned into a weekend with the Miles City Cowgirls or camping on their property on Rock Creek. Mel was converted into a Griz fan by Mike with the help of long-time friends Mike and Marty Murphy; she even got a Griz paw tattoo on her cheek.

Mel could always be found at family brandings by the coolers hanging out with the kids giving them cookies and other snacks. She often called Mike “dumbass;” a nickname developed over the years. Mel had a special relationship with her Step-Daughter Cassie, spending many late nights talking about anything and everything; this may be where Mike’s nickname was born.

Mel is survived by her husband of 18 years, Mike Degner, her daughter Shelby Metz, Step-daughter Cassie (Seth) Eaton and her granddaughter Halston Eaton. Siblings Joan (Mike) Brown, Julia (Dave) Pierce, Steve (Lori) Watts, and Randy (Tammy) Watts. She is also Survived by numerous nieces and nephews, special friends, and extended family, including Russ Degner, Nancy (Jim) Jares, James (Deb) Degner, Sandy (Curt) Crusch and their children.

She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her
shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.
—ARIANA DANCU