Owen William "Bill" Waters, Jr.

Owen William "Bill" Waters, Junior of Wilmington passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 9, 2013. Bill was born on May 25, 1924 to Mary Ethel and Owen William Waters, Senior. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Palmer Haire Waters, their daughter, Lynn Billington Waters, a wife, Winifred Bell Waters, and sisters Virginia Wells and Mary Elmore. He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Chafin, and husband, Norman; granddaughters, Mandy Hackler and husband Chip; Christiana McCafferty and husband Eric; his three great granddaughters, Catharine Palmer Hackler, Innie Marie Hackler, and James Catherine McCafferty; a brother, Norman Waters, sister-in-law, Catherine Dillard, and many nieces and nephews. Bill enlisted into the Marine Corps on April 6, 1943. He served as a radio radar gunner in VMB-612 Cram's Rams and flew in PBJ/B-25's while stationed in Iwo Jima and Okinawa during WWII. He was always eager to share his stories of his time in B-25's and loved riding in airplanes. In 1960, he opened Waters Shipping Company and continued to be a daily fixture there until last month. Bill is one of the oldest independent customs brokers in the state of North Carolina and truly loved the shipping business and all the people he met during his 70 years in the business. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and loved seeing his "cucamongas" almost daily. He was a true southern gentleman from the "greatest generation" and will be greatly missed. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to his private caretakers and to Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their dedication and support. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm Monday at Oakdale Cemetery performed by the Reverend John C. Drewry. The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.