Charles E. Watt

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Charles E. Watt, 80, formally of Cost, passed away peacefully May 13 at the Lampstand Health and Rehab facility in Bryan, Texas.

Charles was born Sept. 14, 1936 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to Hugh Charles Watt and Ella Haecker. It was later that Paul and Ella Revard raised Charles and his two sisters in New Braunfels, Texas.

He spent the most parat of his youth in the hill country, fishing, hunting, playing baseball and doing his chores, milking the goats. He loved being a Boy Scout which also kept him busy. He had the yearly task of finding them the perfect Christmas tree and getting it home. As his sister stated, “he simply loved the outdoors.” He loved being in the band throughout his years in high school which later would be something he pursued while in the military.

He enlisted in the Army right out of high school in 1955. His training was at Fort Knox, Ky. in the tank division. His love for band music continued here as well, he was in the Drum and Bugle Corp his entire enlistment and even after being deployed to Germany. He loved playing the saxophone and trumpet, which the original trumpet he had became a valued piece he brought back home with him after his days in the military service.

While stationed in Germany, Charles met, fell in love and married Ursula H. Eder in 1959 in Giessen. And his military enlistment came to an end. As a married man, he came back to the states, and his roots, and lived in New Braunfels. This union brought four children into his life. Their marriage ended in divorce and a move to Cost, Texas to raise his children became his life then.

Charlie started working for the Guadalupe Valley Telephone Comp. on Aug. 7, 1960 in the construction crew for several years learning all about the construction of pole lines and open wire circuits. This was during the time where telephone phones were dug by hand and he dug his share of them. He worked in various areas of the phone company — installer and repairmen. He became plant superintendent in 1966 which moved him to the Gonzales area (Cost office). He worked on staking the jobs and drew up the staking sheets for construction and aided in the planning of all underground facilities in this area. He worked in this position until April of 1974 when he was called back to Smithson Valley area as the supply supervisor and safety coordinator. This position was held for two years where he ordered the everyday supplies and materials that were required by GVTC and held regular safety meetings. At the end of this time he became a special assistant to the general manager, here his duties included the handling of customer reports, right of way representation for GVTC. He also aided in the development of GVTC’s safety manual. He moved back to the Cost office in 1978 in the position of field engineer which he held until he retired in July of 1999, being the only employee that retired after 40 years of service to GVTC.

Retirement for Charlie was fishing and watching his grandchildren grow up. He bought a 200-acre farm in Franklin, Texas in 2004 and moved to Franklin at that time. Charlie enjoyed fishing, hunting, raising quail and pheasant, loved farming and the ranch life. He loved sitting on his front porch and viewing his love of the land. His love for the outdoors continued until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hugh Charles Watt and Paul & Ella Revard.

Charles is survived by his children Christine (Vernon) Watt Wilke of Cost, Charles Watt Jr. of New Braunfels, Gabriel (Dave Detinger) Watt of West Allis, Wis. And Nathan (Stacy) Watt of Bryan, along with his grandchildren: Jason (Jenny) Wilke, Jamie (Mark) Mastronardi, Jacob (Robin) Wilke, Amanda (Travis) Cole, Mallory (Joe) Kruse, Chelsey Watt, Hannah Watt, Charles Robert Watt and Hollis Watt, as well as four great grandchildren: Rocco and Conchetta Mastronardi and Trevor and Kaylynn Cole. He is also survived by two sisters: Constance Thurber of New Hampshire and Marion Conner of Michigan. He also had numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to your charity of choice or to the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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