William J. Waters

William J. Waters passed away June 15, 2021 at Hospice of Dayton surrounded by his family, after a long illness.  William, also known as “Bill,” was born in Dayton, OH on June 23, 1938 to Matilda Waters at Miami Valley Hospital. 

A life-long resident of Dayton, OH, Bill was a proud graduate of Dunbar High School, class of 1957.  Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army.  While in the Army, he did a tour of duty in Germany.  It was in the Army that he learned the skilled trade of drafting.  Upon his return, to Dayton He worked while attending Central State University.  Being a student and working proved to be too difficult so, he gave up on his dream of earning a college degree. Later in life, he did take classes at Sinclair Community College.  All of us who knew him, knew that he was a very smart man, both book smart and street smart due to his upbringing.  He always stressed the importance of getting an education to all his children, grandchildren and basically any young person he came across.

During the early 60’s Bill met a little lady that was in his graduating class at Dunbar High School he did not know in school.  A few years later he married that woman, the former Rheutlia (Mims) Glover on November 30, 1963.  He instantly gained a daughter LaVonne Glover.  Of this marriage were born a daughter Shelly Y. and a son William L. Waters.

Over the years, Bill worked at NCR and Dayton Walther before settling in at Textron in Greenville, OH from which he retired at age 60.  In his spare time, he volunteered mentoring youth in the Dayton Youth Golf Sports Program at Madden Golf Course.  He loved playing golf!!  He also loved teaching kids how to play the gentleman’s game of golf, a lifetime sport.  Sadly, later in his life he was not able to play during his illness.  He knew that college programs were looking for kids to give scholarships to, especially HBCU’s.  Before the Tiger Woods era, there were not very many minority golfers.  Bill tried to teach EVERY family member to play golf!

William was preceded in death by his mother Matilda Waters, brother John and sister Shirley, brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard Mims, JB and Annie W. Dorsey, Leo and Bettie Gamblin, and Lucille Quinn.  He leaves to cherish his memory wife Rheutlia Waters, brother-in-law Willie Quinn; daughters LaVonne (Greg) Mitchell, Shelly (Tyrone) Olverson; son William L. (ShaLisa) Waters; grandchildren Dorian Glover, LaVar (Ivy) Glover, James Phillips, Tysson (Shay) Olverson, Olivia Olverson, Crystal Waters, Aniyah Waters, Cameron Waters and Ariana Clay. 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.  Last, but not least, a special great-grand dog Bailey.

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