William "Bill" Reid Waltz

William Reid (Bill) Waltz, age 80, went to his Heavenly Home on July 27, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Brenda Gail Jamison Waltz. He is also survived by his children Brenda Tidwell (Chris) of Canton, MI; Laura Lipford (Jody) of Laurens, SC; and Michael Waltz (Claudette Saia) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren William Tidwell, Andrew Tidwell, Daniel Tidwell, Jeffrey Lipford, Jessica Lipford; step-grandchildren Brandi Horne, Jaclyn Horne, Sam Saia; great-grandchild Elle Jane Tidwell, and another on the way; and a special brother-in-law Bob Beard and nephew Ken of Charlotte, NC. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Reid Waltz and Mabel Louise Oakes Waltz, and sister Donna Waltz Beard, all of Charlotte, NC.

Bill was born on August 7, 1939, in Charlotte. He graduated from Central High School in 1957, North Carolina State University in 1961 with a degree in physics, and Carnegie-Mellon University in 1969 with a master of science in nuclear engineering. He and Gail (hometown also Charlotte) married in 1961 and moved to Pennsylvania, where he worked at Westinghouse Atomic Power Lab. They moved to Aiken, SC, in 1974, where he worked at Allied General Nuclear Services in Barnwell, SC, and later Savannah River Plant (Site) until retirement. They remained in Aiken for many years and were glad to call it home. They more recently lived in Greer, SC.

Bill was the most wonderful husband, father, and friend anyone could ask for. He lived a full and active life. Bill and Gail together enjoyed tennis, traveling, gardening, and bird-feeding. Bill also enjoyed golf, fishing, photographing nature and waterfalls, rock-collecting, reading, talking about a wide variety of subjects, telling jokes and stories, and any house or car project involving the use of tools. He was always willing to help others. They were both involved in a children’s mentoring program at Christ Central Ministries in Aiken, and he tutored students in math. He and Gail were charter members of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Aiken, where they were involved in many activities and groups. He displayed the gifts of patience and kindness, and considered the most important thing to call Jesus his Lord and Savior. He was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him and will be greatly missed until we meet again.