Obituary

Charles Richard Betts
(December 30, 1940 - August 28, 2010)

Charles Richard Betts, 69, native and lifetime resident of Huntington, WV passed away Saturday, August 28th, 2010. He died in ICU of Cabell Huntington Hospital following a very brief intense battle with Leukemia. Born December 30, 1940 to the late Joseph Betts and Evelyn Snider of Barboursville, WV, he graduated from Huntington High School where he played football. A multi-sport athlete and avid follower of the Thundering Herd, he worked at Owens Illinois for 35 years from 1961-1995 eventually being named Plant Engineer. Following the closing of Huntington's Owens facility, he was subsequently named plant engineer of the Huntington Industrial Center. He was past President and current board member of the Huntingtonized Federal Credit Union. He was also a graduate of the Tri-State Fire School, and a member of Pipe Fitters Local Union and Glass Pottery Plastics and Allied Workers. He served as President and co-owner with his son Todd of the Charlie Betts Trucking Company of Huntington, WV.

He was a licensed Stationary Engineer and member of the Board of Stationary Engineers, Huntington, WV. He was an ASE Certified Master Mechanic. Charming Charlie was known throughout the East Coast for his drag racing exploits. He terrorized the drag strips throughout the Tri-State for decades. He won thousands of races in his career, including NHRA Spring Nationals in Bristol, TN in 1967. Following his retirement from competitive racing, he became a highly sought after engine builder for NHRA Jr. Dragsters, shipping custom built engines as far away as Hawaii and Australia. With his Grandson Charley at the wheel, he built the world's fastest Outlaw 330 Jr. Dragster, which held the world speed record. He served as Master Architect and Brains of the Operation during the construction of the Betts Family Beach Compound on the Carolina coast, to be enjoyed by his children, and grandchildren for generations. He was always very involved with his children, serving as coach and mentor of many of his kids and grandkids football and baseball teams. He was also a member of the Spring Valley Band Boosters

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Alicia Evelyn and one son ,Richard Todd Betts. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Ethel Betts of Westmoreland; a son and daughter in law Jeffrey B. Betts, M.D. and Sara M O'Hara, M.D. of Cincinnati and was the World's Best Pawpaw to their daughters Sailor and Sanibel; a very special grandson Charles R. Betts II, a Marshall University senior; mother Evelyn Snider of Barboursville; mother in law Cora Reed of Westmoreland and countless friends and family throughout the U.S

Friends may call from 6-8 pm Tuesday at the Reger Funeral Home, Huntington, WV. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Reger Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at the White Chapel memorial Gardens, Barboursville, WV.

Charles loved, and was loved by, his entire family and many friends. His sudden and tragic loss has been inexplicably painful for his family. He will be sorely missed. Now at Rest