Frederick William Botts, Jr., a devoted husband and father, passed away on November 29 at the age of 89. Frederick (Bill) was born in Coral Gables, Florida on June 20, 1922 to Frederick William Botts, Sr. and Edwina Rowe Botts. His younger brother, Edwin Logan Botts, preceded him in death. Bill graduated from Miami Senior High School and attended the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1945, where he played golf, lacrosse, football and baseball. Following graduation, he fought in the Pacific campaign of World War II aboard the USS Independence as a fighter pilot, flying the F4U Corsair. After the war, Bill was at the forefront of air and space exploration. He attended Empire Test Pilot School in Wiltshire, England, flew as a member of the Blue Angels, and competed as a candidate in the Mercury Astronaut Program. He resigned from the Navy in 1956. Whether it was working at Chance Vought Aircraft in Dallas, Texas; Field Argentina construction in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Control Data Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia; or Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company in Los Angeles, Bill continued to strive for excellence. He was a true Renaissance man. Bill married Susan Golde in 1983 and they moved from Brentwood to Pacific Palisades in 1993. They were members of the parish at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Despite his endless number of achievements, however, Bill will be best remembered for his devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife, Susan Golde Botts; four children (Kimberly Anne Botts of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Frederick William Botts III of Austin, Texas; and Christopher Logan Botts and Casey William Botts, both of Washington, D.C.); grandchildren Beau Anderson and Katherine Anne Botts; and great-grandchildren Trey and Ashlyn Anderson. An American inspiration and hero, Bill was the epitome of a life well spent. A private service has been held.
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