Charles Waters

Charles Waters was born on October 18, 1936 in Albany, Georgia to George Sr. and Viola Waters.  He was the oldest of seven siblings. Charles lost his mother at a young age due to childbirth complications during the delivery of his youngest sibling. However, he gained four more siblings from his dad’s second marriage making him the eldest of eleven siblings.

Upon completing elementary school, he began working as a truck driver in the family business run by his uncle. At age nineteen Charles joined the United States Navy. This is where his last name became his identity to all, Waters. In the early part of his military service while dry dock at Swan Island in Portland Oregon in the summer of 1956, Charles met Esther White, his soon to be wife. After returning from overseas in 1959, he and Esther were married, and from this union they had two sons, Curtis Wayne and James Lamont. In 1972 Charles had another son, George Waters.

Charles gave his life to Christ while in the service and was baptized in San Diego, California. He was a cook in the navy so it seemed fitting that his first job out of the military was a cook at Montgomery Ward in NW Portland. Charles later took a job at ESCO Cooperation in 1960 as a Material Handler, where he made pick ups and deliveries for the company. He remained there until he retired in 2001.

Charles enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing softball after church on Sundays with his family. He coached little league baseball with his dear friend, Frank Evens. In his later years he enjoyed taking a cruise or two. He also enjoyed hanging out at Jantzen Beach in pursuit of those winning Keno numbers. He was a member of Grand Niters Club, a family group out of Texas that enjoyed one another with bi-monthly meetings, annual Christmas dinners, and annual picnics. When opportunity presented itself, Charles never passed up the chance to get behind the grill.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, George Jr. and Viola Waters; two brothers, George Waters III and Harold Waters; and his three sisters, Deloris Crawford, Ann Lavern Guest, and Lilla B. Knighton.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Esther Waters; his stepmother, Lillie Mae Waters; his brothers, Morris (Ozzie) Waters and Willie Thomas; his sisters, Jonnie (David) Thomas, Tanja Waters-Lee, and Donna (Ben) McMiller; his three sons, Wayne (Jalane Johnson) Waters, James Waters, and George Waters.; eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

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