A long time friend of mine has a famous relative. Jim McCoy over in Reagan County is related to Florene Miller Watson and watched proudly as the Reagan County Airport was renamed the Florene Miller Watson airport in her honor.
Why name a small county airport for a woman?
Jim McCoy already knew why, and if you have never heard of her, let me tell you a bit and you will completely understand why it was named for her.
As a young girl, Florene Miller lived in Big Lake and later moved. However, the Miller family ranch remained and that is now where Jim McCoy, whose mother was a Miller, lives to this day.
Florene, age 88 today, is still an active pilot, a skill she picked up from her father and two brothers. Her father purchased a shiny new Luscombe in 1939 and she learned to fly. It never occurred to her that she could not become a pilot.
After Pearl Harbor was bombed on her birthday in 1941, she became one of 25 women who were qualified for the women’s auxiliary ferrying squadron, later called the Women’s Air force Service Pilots or WASPS.
Here are a few photographs of Florene Miller Watson.
Photos were supplied by Amarillo Globe News.
Although she has flown literally every type of aircraft in service at that time, her favorite was the P-51 fighter. The P-51 was notoriously difficult to fly.
I have an autographed photo of Mrs. Watson and have talked to her extensively. She is absolutely delightful and is the most vivacious and active 88 year old person I’ve ever known. As we were both pilots, we talked airplanes a little bit. I shouldn’t even mention me as a pilot in the same sentence as her. She is much more than that. She is a legend and a true American hero.
Watch this video to get a sense of her and you too will know why the citizens of Reagan County honored her as a vital member of the war effort back when America needed a few good women. It was 1977 when the women were granted status as veterans. To say that she and others like her paved the way for women in aviation is an understatement of the highest magnitude.
After her extensive military service, she went on to earn a Master’s degree and taught business administration for 30 years on the college level. She and her 92 year old husband Chris Watson have been married for over 60 years and they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Florene Miller Watson, a Reagan County native, is a Real Texan.
A Real Texas woman.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi David, I’ve been reading your blog now for a couple of months and have loved your stories and recipes. What a nice surprise to see you writing about my Aunt Florene and that you know my cousin Jim McCoy! What a small, large world (Texas) we live in! Florene and my mother are sisters. She is quite unique and I love hearing her tell flying stories from WWII.
Thanks for your interesting and fun stories.
Angie Erwin Jensen
Richardson, Texas
I loved the story about Mrs. Florene Miller Watson – I am also a pilot and love reading about the Women of Aviation. How I would love to sit down and talk to this totally unique Lady of Aviation History. Does she have an email address? Thanks for putting this on your Blog.. Jerry
Hello David,
Florene’s daughter, Gail, sent me this Website. I am Florene’s
sister, Garnette Erwin who lives in Richardson, Texas…………and very excited that you wrote such nice things about her. I do think a sister qualifies one to comment on her character as well as her ability.
I have never known a more devout Christian or a sweeter
person. What a blessing it has been to communicate with this
special woman.
Thank you, David, for passing her “glory” on to others!!!
Garnette Erwin, Richardson, Texas
What a fascinating and inspirational woman. I am so glad you put this on your blog. My mother passed away a year ago in March. Her name was also Florene Watson. My parents were married 65 years. It would have been nice if my mom could have met this other Florene Watson in person – they are about the same age, and I know my mom would have enjoyed it tremendously. My mom’s family has a long history in Texas. Again, thank you. I’ve shared this blog with my two sisters.
David….this is Peary Perry…i write a column for about 85 Texas papers…..called Letters From North America..see URL..anyway…my dad worked for T.L. Miller in Odessa in Feb 1941…then he joined the Army Air Corp…..met my mother in Odessa….I bet he knew Florene….or would guess he did..how can I reach her ….thanks…
Peary Perry
Austin, TX
512-653-8545
Sir I am very much into WWII aviation and history. Is there a chance you could help me obtain Mrs. Millers autograph…it would be a great honor?
Thanks,
Chuck
Oh if you can help me get Mrs. Millers autograph please contact me at Chuck_Mason007@yahoo.com.
Thanks again!
Chuck, I just emailed you Florene’s address (with her permission).
Angie
I believe Mrs. Watson taught me at Howard County Junior College in the mid 60′s. Her husband worked for Phillips and they moved to Midland. Is this the same Mrs. Watson?
Homer, sound like the same one!
Angie, Mrs Watson had a contagious enthusiam for the subjects she taught and was very good at what she did. I have forgotten many of my college instructors, but not Mrs Watson. She took our class to her home for a Christmas party. She even had her well organized closets with all her shoes and clothes on display. I have often wondered what happened to her. I decided to see if I could find any record of her after the Congressional Metal of Honor was bestowed on the ladies who served in the WASP. It’s so nice to learn she’s still active. I’ll enjoy any information you care to pass on.
Thanks,
Homer
Florene and Chris lived across the street from us in Hobbs, NM. They were good friends with my Mother and Dad. Myself and brothers were kids, and played often with Gail and Jean. I would like to contact Florene via email. My parents were Karl and Elayne Bashara. Thank You.
MY DAD, ROBERT L. RIKER MET ME AT THE SLATON AIRPORT TO MEET FLORENE FOR SHE WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF A MRS. HALSEY WHOSE SON IS MY BEST FRIEND. MY DAD WAITED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS TO MEET HER FOR HE WAS IN THE FERRY COMMAND 1943-1945. HE FINALLY GAVE UP AND WENT BACK TO LAMESA, BUT I DIDN’T I GOT TO MEET HER THEOUGH MY BEST FRIEND DON HALSEY. I TOLD HER MY DAD SURE WANTED TO MEET HER AND TALK AIRPLANES AND THE FERRY COMMAND. SHE TOOK IT UPON HERSELF TO GIVE HIM A CALL AND THEN SHE AND HER HUSBAND WENT TO LAMESA ONE DAY AND VISITED HIM MOST OF THE AFTERNOON. HE CALLED ME LATER THAT EVENING AND WAS REALLY EXCITED AND SAID I COULD HAVE TALKED TO HER INTO NEXT WEEK. IT WAS SO SPECIAL TO HIM. HE DID SAY “I SURE DON’T REMEMBER THOSE WASP PILOTS BEING THAT GOOD LOOKIN.” HE WAS 83 AT THE TIME! HE PASSED AWAY SHORTLY AFTERWARD BUT FOR THOSE FEW MONTHS AFTERWARD HEWAS TALKING ABOUT HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE WASP AND AS A PILOT WHEN HE WOULD CALL ME. WHEN I WOULD VISIT HIM HE WOULD TELL ME ABOUT THE VISIT AND HIS EYES WOULD JUST TWINKLE. PROBABLY THE HAPPIEST MAN I EVER SAW DUE TO THAT VISIT! HE TALKED ABOUT IT EVERYTIME I SAW HIM. I DO APPRECIATE HER SO MUCH FOR THAT VISIT.
Great story David…thanks for sharing!!
What a wonderful story. Thank you so much. I have never been able to contact Florene by email. If anyone has it, I would appreciate it if you would send it to me. Or either daughter, Gail or Jean. Thank you.
George