William Bryan Waters

He was the son of Bryan and Alice Waters, Beaufort County, NC

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Gail Rowe Waters, his daughter Lisa Waters Anderson and her husband Brad of Des Moines, IA, his son Bryan Waters and his wife Michelle of Raleigh, NC.

His grandchildren are; Sean William Waters, Andrew Bryan Waters, Samantha Grace Waters of Raleigh, Alice Grace Anderson and William McCord Anderson of Des Moines, IA.

He was a graduate of Pantego High School. His undergraduate degree was from East Carolina University, and his Master's and Doctorate from NC State University.

Bill began his career as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the eastern district, Division of Services for the Blind. Later he served as Staff Psychologist, Chief of Rehabilitation Division, and later became the first visually impaired Director of the Division of Services for the Blind, opening the way for other visually impaired individuals to follow. Among many accomplishments with the Division was his work with the Lions of North Carolina to create The Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, a diagnostic, training, and employment program for visually impaired individuals. Bill retired from the University of NC at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work training program in Visual Impairments in 1982.

After retirement, he worked to create the Friends of the North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Bill received the Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for his lifelong work to enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired citizens of North Carolina.

Nothing mattered more to Bill than his family. Bill enjoyed being with his family, working in his yard, listening to books on tape, eating out with friends, listening to Carolina basketball games, and traveling.

He was a warm-hearted, loving husband, brother, Papa to his grandchildren, and friend. He was a wonderful listener, problem solver, anchor for the entire Waters family, an advocate, a storyteller, and a deal maker with a terrific sense of humor.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 28 at 11:00 am at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road. Family and friends will be received after the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Alliance for Lupus

Research. 28 West 44th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10036