Ulysses Reaves Waters, Jr., fondly known as “Mr. Bill”, age 85, of 3667 Harvey Road (Woodard’s Pond Community) of Washington died Monday afternoon, July 23, 2012 at home.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 26, 2012 at the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington with Dennis Davis, Joel Davis, and Billy Ray Askew officiating. Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery with military honors.
Jordan Davis, Joe Bright, James Everett, Jim Jefferson, Mark Woolard, Jacob Davis, Donnie Cutler and Christopher Boyd will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Everett’s Church of Christ Benevolence committee.
Mr. Waters was born in Pinetown on December 3, 1926, the youngest child of Ulysses “Reaves” Waters and Sallie Woolard Waters. He attended Pinetown Elementary and Bath High School until joining the Navy in 1944 where he was assigned to the ship USS Elokomin. Mr. Waters was honorably discharged in 1947 and continued in the Reserves for 7 years. After returning from the war, he lived with his sister near Washington, DC where he met his wife of 58 years, Virginia Groves, who preceded him in death in 2008. He worked for Embassy Dairies in Waldorf, MD retiring with 40 years of service. He then obtained his school bus driver’s license and drove for Prince Georges County School System. In 1988, Bill and Virginia retired to NC where he obtained a NC bus license and drove 21 years for the Beaufort County School System. He became Mr. Bill to many children over the years where he enjoyed their many “antics”, daily hugs and kept up with their school achievements and other life events. To those who had him as a bus driver, please know Mr. Bill never forgot you and always loved you.
Mr. Waters was a member of the Church of Christ at Everett’s Crossroads where he served on the Benevolence committee and lovingly supported the Youth Program. Prior to his recent ministries, he served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and was actively involved in the weekly Britthaven Nursing Home Ministry (now known as River Trace).
Mr. Waters is survived by his daughter, Debra and husband Julian Cutler of Washington; a sister, Mamie Ferrell of Frederick, Maryland; sister-in-law, Lucy Waters of Pinetown; niece, Helen Johnson of Washington NC, and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Mr. Waters was preceded in death by three sisters, Cammie W. Johnson, Berline W. Simpson, Clara “Bushie” W. Palme, and three brothers, Ira S. Waters, Elzberry “Tater” Waters, and Charlie “Dick” Waters.
Mr. Waters had the wonderful opportunity to be honored at weddings etc., as Granddaddy or Uncle, to many outside of his biological family, especially those from his “Cutler” in-laws. Survivors most especially include his close neighbors, Steve, Roxanna, Breanna, and Lexie Leggett, whose daily “in and out” visits were always expected and most appreciated.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at his home, 3667 Harvey Road, Washington.
Debra would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank her in-laws for always including her parents in all showers, parties, weddings, family gatherings, etc., over the years since their retirement to North Carolina. They really enjoyed your children and took pride in their accomplishments.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Eastern NC Dart Team, c/o Fernie Oliver, 1467 North White Post Road, Pinetown, NC 27865. The DART team is the locally based Disaster Assistance Response Team serving as an extension of IDES, International Disaster Emergency Services, founded and supported by the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. This DART team also serves the local community as a ministry outreach to those in need other than during disasters.
Mr. Waters’ funeral service may be viewed and online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Waters family.