Watsy entered the Army in 1934 at the age of 15 and served there for the next 22 years, until he retired in 1956.  He then entered the work force as an air traffic controller, a job he held until his retirement.

 Watsy’s grandfather, Claiborne W. Mason also deserves recognition as he served in Co. I, 56^th Regiment, Virginia Infantry in the Civil War.  Born in Virginia in October 1845, he died in Aspen, Charlotte County, Virginia on 15 April 1902 and is buried at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Charlotte County, Virginia.