Betty Louise Watts Yantis

Betty Louise Watts Yantis, Founding Director of the UNLV Center for Business and Economics Research and UNLV Professor Emeritus, passed away October 17, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nev. She was born on December 29, 1932 at Little Rock, Ark. She earned her B.S.C.E, M.S.C.E., M.A., and Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She also attended Baylor University. Betty was a pioneer for women in the field of Civil Engineering. She fought the "glass ceiling" from the start, until she finally broke it for herself and other women. She was the only woman seeking the Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville Class of 1958. She was the only woman in engineering classes and at the Bachelor of Science level, she was the only woman in the college. This was normal for her as she pursued math and science in high school and rarely had female classmates in these classes. She worked throughout her college career, beginning as a draftsman in the engineering section of AT&T where all employees were men. Helping to meet college expenses, she earned a scholarship to Baylor University and worked for the City Engineer in an all male office during her freshman/sophomore years. Working with men was not a problem for Betty but she found some professors did not approve of a female entering the field of Civil Engineering. She was surprised at their hostility when they told her privately, and in the class room, that they did not want her in their classes, nor even in the field of engineering. One example of this was the professor who apologized for his language every time he used the word BITUMEN during a lecture on paving uses and standards. Betty followed her dream of becoming a Civil Engineer, to whatever learning institutions and possible employment opportunities were accepting of a woman in the field. This journey took her to UT (Austin), Texas A&M (Arlington), (Tarleton), and (Corpus Christi). Marrying a Civil Engineer, who had been a professor in the field for many years, required that Betty pursue a Ph.D. outside his field or seek employment elsewhere. Being female, she was expected to change her career field without question. Thus - her introduction to Economics. She took her first class (Economics 6000), and fell in love with the pursuit of a new career. She earned a Ph. D. in Economics. Betty was the Founding Director of the UNLV Center for Business and Economics Research, and for many years led research development in Las Vegas. She finished her career at UNLV and was bestowed with the honor of Emeritus status shortly after retirement. Her passions were teaching and travel. In typical Betty fashion, she excelled in both as she taught in France, England, Italy, Turkey, Germany, and at UNLV Las Vegas, the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, and the University of Kentucky. She was predeceased by husband John Edward Nixon, parents Mary Louise Walker Watts and Virgil Ralph Watts, and sister Mary Jane Watts of Little Rock, Ark.; brother Ralph Marion Watts of Jacksonville, Ark. Survivors include daughters Laura Rey (David Endicott) of Toronto, Canada; and Bonnie Charles Yantis of Oklahoma; sister, Ginna Watts Watson (Robert) of Hot Springs, Ark.; granddaughter, Rachel Clare Endicott-Rey of Toronto, Canada; niece, Deborah Louise Dodge of Lonsdale, Ark.; nephew, Dean Cecil Dill of Hot Springs, Ark.; great-niece, Alora Louise Dodge, and great-nephew, Joseph Thomas Dodge of Lonsdale, Ark.; step-children, Robert MacGregor Nixon (Angela) of Las Vegas, Nev,; Patricia Nixon Reid of St. George, Utah; and step-grandchildren, Carol Nicole Nixon, Kyle Jack Nixon, Jared Edward Nixon, and Leah Jennifer Nixon all of Las Vegas, Nev. Betty had an enormous capacity for love, generosity, compassion, learning and inspiring others to embrace the importance of gaining knowledge that would be used for the betterment of mankind. A reception to celebrate Betty's life will be held at Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd., on Friday, October 26 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, Betty's request was for gifts to the be sent to the University of Arkansas, College of Engineering, 1125 W. Maple Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.