Winston C. "Bud" Watson

Winston Watson Obituary

Mission Accomplished - September 15, 2008
WATSON, Winston C. ''Bud''

Proud member of the Greatest Generation, passed from this life at age 92. He was Born, August 18, 1916 to mother Jean Hoag Cathcart Watson of "Caledonia," Scotland and father Leslie Watson of York, England. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Elinor Jane Hanes Watson and brother Ian Leslie "Lee" Watson.

"Bud" graduated from Sacramento High School in 1934. In WWII he was a Pilot and 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps (15th Airforce, 720th Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group "The CottonTails"). "Bud" piloted over 50 combat missions over Italy & Nazi Germany in a B24 Liberator. He was among "The First in Italy" Dec 20, 1943. After completion of the Italian liberation, he flew his remaining combat missions out of Manduria, Italy over Nazi Germany including the battle of Normandy. "Bud" received the Silver Star, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Medal of Honor, The American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He was discharged with honors in 1946. But, despite an impressive list of military accomplishments, "Bud" took the most pride in his reprimands/demotions. Upon the completion of several successful missions in and out of Nazi Germany, "Bud" and close friend "Frenchy" would often celebrate survival by challenging each other to "cut corn." This meant they would fly their B24 Liberators low enough to the Italian country side to trim the tops of corn stalks with their propellers upsetting the local farmers and aggravating superior officers back on base. On special occasions, the rest of the squadron would follow.

After the war, he continued to fly private airplanes throughout his life. He worked as a draftsmen attending night school while supporting his wife and young daughter with the dream of becoming an Architect. "Bud" earned his degree and practiced Architecture in the Sacramento & Stockton area while also purchasing a wine vineyard in Lodi and moonlighting as a Gentlemen Farmer. He was an exceptional artist and carpenter who could create everything out of anything. He had a never ending love of learning and was extremely creative on every level. He was a sweet, kind hearted man who was the very definition of integrity. He was admired and loved by all who knew him.

Later in years, he and wife Jane moved to be near the Delta. They both had a life long love of boating. "Bud" and Nile Hanes, (best friend & brother-in-law) built their first 30 foot boat from scratch in the back yard. He owned several boats throughout his life and most enjoyed sailing the Delta.

Bud is survived by his daughter, Janice English-Machen, grandsons Jason Winston English (Simone), Scott Ryland Hanes Machen (Kristi), great-granddaughter Elise Peres English and best friend and loyal canine companion, Toby.

A heartfelt thank you to Joanne, and the staff of Sunrise Assisted Living of Fair Oaks & Vitas Hospice for making his final mission as comfortable as possible. Remembrances to the charity of your choice please.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Sep. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Winston Watson

9 Entries

JANICE ENGLISH MACHEN

September 22, 2023

It's been 15 years without you Dad...We miss you still, every day. You would be so proud of your Grandsons and Grandchildren.
Until we meet again........we love you

Jason

September 16, 2022

Always and forever my hero.....

Janice

September 15, 2022

Dad... you´ve been gone 14 years as of today. We miss you so much. You have an adorable sweet great grandson now. He´s so smart, I think he´s going to be an engineer. But he´s only 7. We´ll see. Elise is a senior and making college inquiries. She wants to be a nurse practitioner. But I digress. I believe you already know this from your heavenly perch. Grandma is watching with you. We all love you and miss you both every day. Janice.

Jan Machen

September 17, 2009

Dear Dad
It has been one year since you passed and we all miss you so much. We are all being very good stewards of the legacy that you left with us. You would be very proud of the things we have done to preserve what you worked all of your life to create. We have a small business in your name and it is doing well. You have given us all a chance at a better life by instilling your unwavering worth ethic into our existance. Thank you for all you have done for us over the years.
Toby, "The Top Player" is thriving and happy. He has had many new experiences and he even sailed down the California coast with us. He was there when we sprinkled some of your ashes at Point Conception. It was a proud moment for us because we know how much you loved sailing and the ocean. You and Mom are in our hearts forever.
With Love, your grateful family

Carol Anderson

September 25, 2008

Dear Jan, Scott and Jason,
I am proud to have known Bud, one of the Finest Generation. He was a man of integrity, humble despite his many accomplishments and talents. He carried himself with dignity, was warm and accepting, and had that sweet smile that could melt anyone.
I remember you with love Bud, as you fly free from this earth.

Jan Machen

September 24, 2008

Thank you for signing my Dads Guest Book. I am proud to be the daughter of that brave, humble, loving man who spoke very little of his accomplishments. We had to dig through his old papers to really know his experiences.
Thank You
Jan English-Machen
Orangevale, California

Donna Fairchild

September 22, 2008

Thank you for your service, Mr. Watson! My own late father was in WW II, in another bomb group. We owe you and others in "The Greatest Generation" a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

September 22, 2008

I read about "Bud" in the Bee this morning and decided (for the first time) to respond to an obituary. What a wonderful celebration of life you folks crafted. A wonderful bio, and the three photos of Bud were the perfect touch. I would have loved to have known the man.

Janice (Trudeau) Kemper

September 21, 2008

To the family of Winston C. "Bud' Watson, please accept my deepest sympathies. May your memories of your father and grandfather bring you comfort. Your father's memories of WW II evoked memories for me of my own father, who passed away 18 years ago. My father was known as "Frenchy" during WW II and throughout his Air Force career. He flew B24's also and when I read your fathers notice, I thought it might have been my father that was 'cutting the corn" with yours, but though it sounds like something he would have done, after I thought about it, I believe it was probably another "Frenchy". My Dad, flew missions over Nazi Germany, but from England as far as I know and upon looking through his papers, he was in a different Bomb Group. There is a slim chance it was my father and if you happen to know the last name of your father's friend was Trudeau, I would appreciate knowing. I Thank you.
May God bless your family,

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