Mr. Russell Monroe Waters, Jr., age 74, a resident of Washington, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, at his home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in the sanctuary of First Church of Christ in Washington and will be officiated by Ray West, Steve Hill and Johnny Pressley. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Michael Thomas, Ronnie Harris, Martin Mayo, Wayne Harrell, Jim Joyner and Larry Hinsley will serve as pallbearers. The First Church of Christ Elders and Deacons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Waters was born in Beaufort County on Oct. 9, 1943, to the late Russell Monroe Waters, Sr. and Ruby Elizabeth Cayton Waters. He was a 1962 graduate of Chocowinity High School and went on to get an applied sciences degree from Wilson Technical Institute and graduate in May of 1965. On June 26, 1965, he married Betty Jean Warren. Mr. Waters began his career with the City of Washington as a draftsman in May 1965 and worked until he retired as the public works director in August 2002. On several occasions throughout his career, he served as interim city manager. He also was a registered land surveyor, receiving his license in 1974 and continued to work as a surveyor until health issues forced him to retire in February 2011. Mr. Waters was a member of First Church of Christ and served as an Elder, a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, Bible school superintendent, and at the time of his death he served as an Elder Emeritus.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jean Warren Waters, two sons, Darien Waters and wife Melanie of Clayton, Scott Waters of the home, two sisters, Betty Waters Weeks and husband Austin, Linda Waters Hudson and husband Gene, both of Chocowinity, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by a brother, Howard Ray Waters.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in the Family Life Center at First Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dave Arnold Memorial Fund, care of First Church of Christ, 520 E 10th Street, Washington, NC 27889 or to the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown St., Washington, NC 27889.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the caregivers who had a hand in allowing Mr. Waters to remain at home.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Waters family.