[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E51-E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE MILITARY SERVICE OF CHARLES EDWARD ``BILLY'' WATTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2018

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember World War II veteran 
and American Fighter Ace, Lieutenant Commander Charles Edward ``Billy'' 
Watts, of Baytown who passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018.
   Mr. Watts was born November 14, 1921 in Ben Wheeler, Texas and grew 
up on the family farm. Billy attended Van public schools and attended 
East Texas State University in Commerce for two years.
   At the age of twenty, Mr. Watts enlisted in the United States Navy 
Air Corps. Watts flew

[[Page E52]]

an aircraft carrier-based fighter, the F6F Hellcat, as a member of 
fighter squadrons VF-17 and VF-18 in two major operations in the 
Pacific Theater. With 8\3/4\ confirmed kills, Lt. Cdr. Watts earned the 
designation as an American Fighter Ace. Of the more than sixty thousand 
American fighter pilots who have served since World War I, less than 
1,500 have achieved the elite status of Fighter Ace.
   In 1947, Mr. Watts graduated from Southern Methodist University 
(SMU) and began work in the Production Department for Humble Oil 
Company (later Exxon). He lived in and around the Houston area until 
transferring to Baytown in 1963. Billy finished his career in the 
Houston Office in 1982.
   Mr. Watts served as an active member and treasurer of both Grace 
United Methodist Church and later Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist 
Church. He was a faithful church member and took numerous camping trips 
with the Methodist Camping Group.
   Upon his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Watts met his future wife 
Wanda Lee Dodson of Van, Texas and celebrated their seventy-second 
wedding anniversary on December 2, 2017. Billy is survived by his wife 
Wanda, three children, four grandchildren, and three great 
grandchildren.
   Lt. Cdr. Watts was proud of his Naval service and was active with 
the American Fighter Aces Association and was one of four aces invited 
to the White House for the signing of The American Fighter Aces 
Congressional Gold Medal Act. A year later, Mr. Watts returned to the 
United States Capitol and received his Congressional Gold Medal. As his 
Congressman, and fellow veteran, it was a tremendous honor and 
privilege to meet Lt. Cdr. Watts and participate in the presentation of 
his Congressional Gold Medal. Lt. Cdr. Watts' many military decorations 
include: the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold 
Stars, Purple Heart, the Air Medal with seven Gold Stars, and two 
Presidential citations for serving on the USS Bunker Hill and USS 
Hornet aircraft carriers.
   Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Lieutenant Commander Charles Edward 
``Billy'' Watts for his bravery, sacrifice, and service to our great 
nation. May God bless Mr. Watts, all of our World War II veterans, and 
all of those who have served or are currently serving.

                          ____________________