FedEx memorializes its first African-American pilot

Before becoming a FedEx pilot, he earned a Bronze Star, Air, and National Defense Service medals.
 
On January 1 of that year, Waters told FedEx founder Fred Smith by phone, "I'm a black pilot and I'm looking for a job."
 
Smith's response was, "When can you get here?"

Waters became employee number 373, the third of the fledgling company's three pilots.

"It was a struggle for him during the 70s to get a job as an airline pilot. He was given the opportunity at FedEx," said FedEx 777 Captain Albert Glenn. "He made sure that he took time and effort to help others get jobs as well."

Waters took Captain Glenn under his wing in 1975.

"He says, 'You want to be a pilot? You want to live in America like it is, you need to have faith, you need to have perseverance, you need to have patience, you need to be professional,'" said Glenn.
 
Shortly before his death, Waters spoke at an event and remembered a time when he carried only 20 packages on his first flight.

Waters left a mark on everyone he met.

Jim Bowman, vice president of FedEx Flight Operations, said, "He was just quiet and unassuming, but still, you could tell he required the command and authority and accountability from you."

Glenn says FedEx couldn't have chosen a more fitting goodbye: a ceremony before Waters' ashes took flight home to Virginia.

"Allowing Carroll to have his last flight through Memphis, which is something he did many many times and to have his final flight home be aboard a FedEx flight," added Glenn.
 
After 23 years at FedEx, Waters retired in 1996.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Wilcomico, Virginia where all attending pilots will wear
uniforms.
 
FedEx says, at this time, 129 of its 4,200 pilots are African-American.

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