Warren Fred Watson Sr. MSGT/USAF Retired
MARYDEL, Md. - Warren Fred Watson Sr. MSGT/USAF Retired passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at home.
MSGT Watson was born in Webster, Mass. to the late Warren Samuel Gustafson and Lucille Tourtellotte. He met his wife, Evelyn in June of 1967, while both were in the United States Air Force, stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburg, New York and they married in October of 1967. Both were members of the Aerospace Defense Command, he as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician and she as an Accounting and Finance Technician. At the time of his death, they were married 54 years, 9 months and 2 days.
Their son Warren Jr. was born in 1969, and the family transferred to Yakota AFB Japan, where they spent the next 5.5 years, returning to Andrews AFB, Md., then he to Keflavik AFB, Iceland and McGuire AFB, N.J. and Dover AFB, Del.
Earlier in his career he helped airlift supplies into West Berlin during the Berlin Crisis of 1961 which culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961. He served during the political upheaval of the crisis in the Congo during the 1960's which ended with the country under the rule of Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. He also served as ground support for some of the earliest Apollo unmanned space missions for which he received the USAF Missileman Badge. He served at several locations throughout the world, including France, Germany, Korea, and the Congo as well as Dover AFB where he served as First Sergeant prior to retiring from the Air Force after 26 years service in May 1985. He and his wife settled in nearby Maryland where they had purchased a small farm. He enjoyed the camaraderie he experienced while in the Air Force and after his retirement he joined the US Civil Service at Dover AFB, serving in the same career field and working in the same shop with the same people. He was a member of AFGE Local 1709 where he proudly volunteered to serve as an AFGE Shop Steward to aid members in their workplace, and show how AFGE's mission impacts public servants. He retired from Civil Service in September 2005.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents; and step-father, William Watson; as well as brother, William; and sister, Phyllis Maywhort.
In addition to his wife, Evelyn of Marydel, Maryland; and son, Warren Watson, Jr, of Elmhurst, New York; MSGT Watson is survived by sisters, Marjorie Easterbrook of Dudley, Mass. and Nancy Watson Cairns and husband Stephen Cairns of Norway, Maine; as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews and many animal friends and pets too numerous to mention but cherished nevertheless for their unconditional love and companionship.
Services and interment were held at Arlington National Cemetery on 15 September 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to your favorite charities, someone who might need a little extra help, or just do something unexpected and nice for someone.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com