Donald Waitman

He was born on December 20, 1942, in Florence, CO. He was the son of the late Lewis P. Waitman Jr. and the late Mildred (Hotchkiss) Waitman.

He entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 18. He served from August 9, 1960-Dec. 13, 1963, traveling around the world twice. Through this experience, he developed a great knowledge, and love, for ships.

He was employed by CAD Enterprises as a machine shop inspector for over 20 years. His knowledge and calibrations surpassed all computers, making him more irreplaceable than he already was in the eyes of his family.

Don was very passionate about music and poetry. He was always reciting lyrics, speeches, poems, biblical verses, and Shakespearean plays word for word whenever the moment would strike him. He has completed over eight hundred poems in a collection titled, My Learnings. He also loved fishing, cooking, woodworking, educating others, and designing blueprints for wooden model naval ships. A man of tremendous love, great patience, deep wisdom, and inexhaustible humor! He was a devoted husband and a loving father who provided and supported his family with great compassion up to his final breath.

He is survived by his wife Kriste A. (Wohlfert) Waitman and the following children, son; Craig A. Waitman, daughter; Mary Bezold, daughter; Lorraine M. Murillo. Also survived by 9 brothers and sisters; David, Nola, Nina, Rick, Linda, Mona, Daniel, Christopher, Tim and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Bob.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 11th, 2012 from 6pm-9pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel located at 926 S. Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ. The funeral service is scheduled for June 12th, 2012 at 10am at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.  Immediately following the service will be a procession to Holy Cross Cemetery.