By Guy Leitch
Ray Lawrence Watts 29/5/1951 – 11/11/23
Ray Watts was a much loved and respected contributor to SA Flyer magazine. He passed away on 11 November 2023.
For the past ten years Ray has faithfully compiled the monthly Register Review, a resource much valued by aircraft sales organisations, banks and insurers. Ray also compiled the monthly fuel prices survey – giving SA Flyer readers invaluable information on where to buy Avgas and JetA at the best prices.
Aged 19, Ray started at air traffic control school on 5 January 1970. After stints in all the major airport towers and as an area radar controller, Ray moved to the more relaxed Grand Central airport advisory tower.
I have known Ray for fifty years, from when we were both members of Grand Central Flying Club (GCFC). Ray’s knowledge of aircraft types was extraordinary, and he usually won the prizes at GCFC quiz nights.
When Ray manned the Grand Central Tower he was unfailingly helpful and gentle on us student pilots. Ray published a rich account of his days at FAGC in Pilots’ Post online newsletter – http://www.pilotspost.co.za/arn0002186
In 1980, he married Debbie Anderson. They had two daughters, Jacqui and Dusty, who produced five grandchildren, whom he adored. The marriage unfortunately ended in 1985. The girls were young, so their mother was given custody, which left Ray bereft.
Due to financial pressures on the marriage, Ray gave up air traffic control. He joined his father in-law’s business, Reliable Bolts, managing the shop in Qwaqwa. Ray then moved into insurance broking with Nedbank and then into call centre management at Dimension Data for AOL.
He continued to share his wealth of aviation knowledge on the aviation forum www.avcom.co.za, where he was a well-respected moderator.
Ray continued in call centre management and ran the SAA Vitality call centre when he retired in 2015.
Posts from Avcom capture how many members felt about Ray: “Thank you for the encyclopaedic knowledge – the patience – the enthusiasm and always making time. Thank you for the explanations and the never-ending preparedness to help.” And; “He had a library of knowledge of all things aviation related, and a heart the size of a giant keg for his fellow men.”
Ray was always available to help out, especially for anything aviation related. As ‘Oom Ray’ he was happiest playing Father Christmas at year-end functions where he delighted the children. He also immersed himself in voter registration drives and weather reports.
The aviation community is poorer with his passing.