Community members will gather June 17 to formally dedicate the Bastrop Post Office in honor of Sergeant Major William “Billy” Waugh, a Bastrop native whose military and intelligence service spanned five decades and garnered national recognition.

What you should know

Main Street will be temporarily closed from Spring Street to Farm Street during the post office dedication ceremony, which will run from 10-11 a.m.

The event will feature a color guard presentation, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and remarks from speakers, including members of the Waugh family and U.S. Congressman Michael T. McCaul, who introduced the House version of the bill in August 2023 to designate the facility as the Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office. The bill was enacted into law on Dec. 23, 2204.
At 18 years old in 1948, William 'Billy' Waugh joined the Army following an unsuccessful effort to enlist in the Marines at age 15, according to his obituary. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders, K. Kassens/U.S. Army)
At 18 years old in 1948, William 'Billy' Waugh joined the Army following an unsuccessful effort to enlist in the Marines at age 15, according to his obituary. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders, K. Kassens/U.S. Army)
What else?

Following the ceremony, guests are encouraged to attend a reception hosted by the Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center of the Bastrop County Historical Society, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Museum admission will be free during the event.


BCHS representative Rachel Hatch said guests can enjoy refreshments catered by Jean Lang while browsing the museum, which includes a Waugh exhibit.

Johnny Sanders, retired Bastrop County commissioner and nephew to Waugh, said he is looking forward to the event.

“His widow, Lynn Waugh, and daughter Leslie will be flying in,” Sanders said. “It’s going to be cool, and I am excited to see it.”
Billy Waugh, center, owned a Cadillac with a license plate paying homage to his eight Purple Hearts. His now-widow Lynn Waugh and nephew Johnny Sanders, are pictured laughing with him. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders)
Billy Waugh, center, owned a Cadillac in 2017 with a license plate paying homage to his eight Purple Hearts. His now-widow Lynn Waugh and nephew Johnny Sanders, are pictured laughing with him. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders)
About Waugh

Hatch said Waugh, who was born in 1929 and raised in Bastrop, was a Green Beret and a legend in the Army Special Forces.


Waugh was also part of the first high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) combat parachute assault in military history, according to a news release from McCaul.

In the release, McCaul noted that Waugh received numerous military honors, including eight Purple Hearts for combat injuries—ranking him third among those who have received the most Purple Hearts in U.S. history. Other honors include four bronze stars, the silver star and the CIA intelligence star.
At 18 years old in 1948, William 'Billy' Waugh joined the Army following an unsuccessful effort to enlist in the Marines at age 15, according to his obituary. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders, K. Kassens/U.S. Army)
At 18 years old in 1948, William 'Billy' Waugh joined the Army following an unsuccessful effort to enlist in the Marines at age 15, according to his obituary. (Courtesy Johnny Sanders, K. Kassens/U.S. Army)
Following his military retirement in 1972, Waugh worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier before returning to federal service in 1977 as a paramilitary operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In that role, he took part in missions targeting high-profile terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal and Osama bin Laden, McCaul said.

Waugh retired from the CIA in 2005, at the age of 75—ending his 50-year career serving his country. McCaul said Waugh returned to his hometown of Bastrop. He died on April 4, 2023, according to his obituary.

What they’re saying


“Naming a landmark like the Bastrop Post Office after Sergeant Major Waugh [is] an enduring testament to a life well-lived, and an opportunity for all Texans to pay homage to this great American hero,” McCaul said.
  • June 17, 10 a.m. (ceremony), 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (reception)
  • Free
  • Bastrop Post Office, 1106 Main St., Bastrop (ceremony), Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St., Bastrop (reception)
  • www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com