CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
Condolences to the Watts Family.
Long time KWVA and Chapter 313 Charter member Kenneth Watts.
October 18, 1931 - April 20, 2019
Kenneth Watts was born in Claremore, OK October 18, 1931 to Amanda Mae and Lewis Jackson Watts. As a youth he attended the Church of Christ in Okemah. He attended Okemah, Okfuskee & Okmulgee County, OK schools before enlisting in the Air Force in 1947 at age 16. He completed his GED High School and entered evening and night classes at the Universities of Hawaii, Oklahoma, and Virginia during his time in the Air Force.
His postings included Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, the latter in a covert assignment while attached to the State Department. Chief Watts was awarded the Bronze Star, United Nations, Korean and Vietnam Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medal and numerous other awards and decorations. He also received classified letters of commendation from the US Ambassador to Laos and the Commander, Pacific Air Forces for his covert activities in Laos.
His post service career included twenty years with Office, Secretary of Defense, and other Defense agencies in Hawaii and in the Washington DC and overseas areas. In addition, he served as the Senior Executive Advisor to the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain (Persian Gulf) from 1978 to 1996. He retired from federal service in May 2005.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Watts of Lake Frederick, VA; his ex-wife Betty Miyasaki of Honolulu, HI; his daughter, Denise Kuulei Watts and a grandson, Alden Katagihara and his wife Lauren Yip Katagihara of CA; sisters Karen Champion of CA and Sue Hagenswold (Bruce) of TX; a brother, Retired Judge Bob Watts (Sarah) of MO. He was preceded in death by two sisters Jerri Slagle of TX and Hazel Blevins of CA.
Viewing was held at Jones Funeral Home on April 29, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and with graveside services and burial on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in the military section of Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester VA which Chief Watts helped design.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA of Winchester, Frederick and Clarke Counties, 111 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, VA 22601 or Parkinson’s Foundation, Winchester Support Group, Winchester Church of God, 2080 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA 22603.