Bill Waters

Family, faith and friendships were at the center of the life of Billy Franklin Waters who passed away on September 23, 2019.  Bill was born December 19, 1930 to Roderick and Leona Waters in Medford, OR and raised in Lakeview, OR.  After attending Lakeview High School, he graduated from University of Portland with a degree in business engineering then went on to serve in the US Army where he was stationed in England.  Upon discharge in 1955, he married Ruth Kaiser whom he had met while attending U of P.  They returned to Lakeview to start their family while he and his brother Don ran the family business Waters Farm Supply, a John Deere dealership selling farming equipment to the local community.  In 1966, Bill moved his family to Portland, OR and went to work for Hyster Sales Company until his retirement in 1990.

Bill and Ruth got the travel bug and set out with friends to tour several Europeans countries over the next several years with The Holy Land being one of the biggest highlights of their travels.  Bill also fed his passion for fishing with several Canadian fishing adventures and trips to many of the beautiful lakes and rivers throughout the state of Oregon.  In 2007, they moved to Mary’s Woods in Lake Oswego, OR, a retirement community that wrapped their arms around them.  Bill loved life and had a huge caring heart that he shared with everyone he met.  He loved to spend time with family and friends playing cards, going for Sunday drives or just sitting and visiting with new and old friends alike. 

Bill is survived by his son John Waters; daughters Peggy Griffith and Patty Holland; 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Ruth Waters; daughter Susan Galeski and son Jim Waters; brother Don Waters; sisters Doretha Steltenphol and Betty Jo Ross.

Services will be held Thursday, October 3, 2019 at The Chapel at Mary’s Woods in Lake Oswego, OR.  Recitation of the rosary will be made at 10:30am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00am.  Reception will follow service.

Contributions in Bill’s name can be made to the Mary’s Woods Employee Education Fund,

17400 Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego OR, 97034 Attn: Philanthropy or by visiting https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/maryswoodsdevelopment.  

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