F. "Sid" Wattinger '50 May 13, 2016 2:01 PM updated: May 13, 2016 2:05 PM
From tributes.com
Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home North
3125 N Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78705
info@wcfish.com
Tel. (512) 452-8811
Retired Major Fred Sidney Wattinger
Born: February 18, 1929
Died: May 11, 2016
Location: Austin, Texas
Retired Major Fred Sidney Wattinger was born on February 18, 1929 in San Antonio, Texas to John Wattinger & Myra Robison. He passed away peacefully on May 11, 2016 surrounded by his wife, both daughters and son. As a 4th generation Austinite, he is survived
by his wife of 66 years Betty Wattinger of Austin, daughters, Synthia Hutchens and husband Terry, Marsha Smith and husband Tom (all of Round Rock); son, John Wattinger of Austin, five grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and his half brother James Robison
and wife Betty of Euless Texas.
Sid graduated from S. F. Austin High School in 1946 and attended Texas A&M University prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force in August 1950. He spent over 20 years serving in the Air Force where he piloted the B-47 for over 10 years out of MacDill
AFB in Florida and another year as a Flight Training Instructor at McConnell AFB in Kansas for the Strategic Air Command's 364th Bombardment Wing. In 1961 he was transferred to Bunker Hill AFB in Indiana as an Air Crew Commander for the new B-58 Hustler under
the Strategic Air Command's 305th Bombardment Wing. He was then transferred in 1966 to Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas, his hometown, where at that time he volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War. As a Site Commander and FAC Pilot in Vietnam, he flew the F-4C
and O-1E and was subsequently recognized for flying over 300 combat missions over North Vietnam in 10 months. As a result, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the National Defense
Medal and an array of other service medals.
During his retirement days, he enjoyed any and all things Family, Texas A&M and the Capital City A&M Club, but more importantly, he served the Lord with all he had.
Services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 4:00 pm at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor, Austin, TX 78703. Interment will follow in the Good Shepherd Church Columbarium.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Tom, Aaron, Brandon and Cody Smith; Terry, Bret and Kyle Hutchens. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Honor of Sid Wattinger to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor, Austin, TX 78703 or the Capitol City
A&M Club, P O Box 332, Austin Texas 78767.