W. Marvin Watson (b. June 6, 1924) was an advisor to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, and was the Postmaster General in 1968 and early 1969.

Biography

Watson was born in Oakhurst, Texas, and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas getting a scholarship as a musician. He entered the Marine Corp during World War II, and saw action in the Pacific campaign during the later stage of the war. He began working for Johnson during the 1948 primary campaign for the democratic nomination to run for the United States Senate. At that time, there was no effective republican party in Texas, so the primary would effectively decide the election.

Watson continued being active in local politics as a "Johnson Man", rising to become the head of the Democratic Party in Texas.

Watson became an informal White House Chief of Staff to President Johnson in 1965, and was appointed Postmaster General in 1968.

After the end of the Johnson administration in 1969, Watson became an official with Occidental Petroleum, working with Armand Hammer.