Murray Hooker Watts

Murray served on the battleship West Virginia after it was refitted from being sunk at Pearl Harbor. His ship went on to participate in the liberation of the Philippines at the Battle of Lyte Gulf and contributed to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamashiro, giving him and his ship a total of five battle stars during his service.

He was on board when a Japanese kamikaze plane crashed into the West Virginia superstructure deck, killing four sailors including two close friends of his, and wounding 23 sailors. Murray started the plane’s bomb penetrated the galley but didn’t explode. He looked back on this; he accredited this miracle to God.

The battleship West Virginia had the privilege of being one of the many Navy ships that sailed into Tokyo Bay on August 30 and witness the Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945

Murray outlived his wife Norma, but they had 63yrs together and went on to have three children, Nancy, Mark, and Lori. He also had 7 grandchildren: Jayson, Aaron, Kevin, Crissy, Katie, Drew, and Casey. And had 7 great-grandchildren, all of which he prayed for on a daily basis.

We, the grown children of Murray wish for those who read this to know two things: First, dad was a born-again Christian who loved Jesus. Secondly, because of that, we as a family know there is a grand reunion in heaven someday where we will join, he and mom.

John 14: 1-4

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And you know the way to where I am going.”