George Washington Wootten, Jr.

On May 6th, 2020, George Washington Wootten, Jr., loving husband, and father of two sons passed away at the age of 88 of natural causes.

George was born on February 9, 1932 in Buckingham County, VA to Lila (Ragland) and George W. Wootten, Sr. He graduated from Buckingham Central High School in 1949. He joined the U.S. Air Force on his eighteenth birthday and served honorably for more than 20 years. Serving in the military was a source of pride and honor for George.

He met his future wife on a blind date and married Lois Syvlinn Powell on September 6, 1952. They raised two sons, Steve and Jack. Lois passed in January of 2019. Their marriage was another of his passions and brought him immeasurable joy.

George did his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and then proceeded on to aircraft mechanic training. Over the course of the next 25 years, he served in over half a dozen bases in the United States and three overseas assignments. In addition to aircraft mechanic, he also trained in missiles and served in a ICBM silo unit in Germany during the Cold War. He ended his Air Force career as a flight engineer on C-141 transports out of Travis AFB. During his service at Travis AFB he was honored to be lead flight engineer of the mission that flew to Hanoi to bring home the prisoners of war held by North Vietnam. In 1972, George was part of the crew that flew President Nixon to Moscow for his historic summit with Soviet leaders. During the trip, the crew returned through Iran so the president could visit with the Shah of Iran.

George had numerous hobbies and pursuits over his life. Over the years, fishing and boating were constants until he moved to Texas. After moving to Texas he and Lois took up RVing and traveled extensively throughout Texas and the West, sometimes with their grandsons. He was also an avid baseball fan and many a cold summer night was spent at the old Candlestick Park rooting for the Giants.

George worked for the Brock School District for several years and was President of the Parker County Water District for almost 20 years. He and Lois were members of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Weatherford, TX.

George was preceded in death by his father, George Sr., his mother, Lila, and his wife, Lois. He is survived by his children, Steve (Yvonne), Jack (Leah), his sisters Madeline (Calvin) and Gail (John), his grandsons Devon (Nicole) and Ian (Leah), his granddaughters, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in Virginia.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 9th at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel at 913 N. Elm Street, Weatherford, TX at 12 o’clock p.m.