John Edward Waters, Jr.

"The Earth's Loss is Heaven's Gain"

John Edward Waters, Jr., age 66, left this world on Thursday, July 23, 2009, to be with our Heavenly Father in a new home where there will be no more sadness and no more pain. John courageously fought cancer for 9 months. John's favorite saying was "This too shall pass." He always believed one way or the other we would get past our problems.

John was born on January 18, 1943, in Richlands to the late John E. Waters, Sr. and Annie Batchelor Waters. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Bonnie Groves Waters of Hampstead whom he will be anxiously waiting at those pearly gates for her arrival. John is also survived by a son, John E. Waters III of Simpsonville, SC; a daughter, Rebecca Waters Fellows of Hampstead; three grandchildren, John Huffstickler, Tessie Colvin and Michael Waters; three brothers; Leon Waters (Liz) of Hillsboro, Warren Waters (Frances) of Pollocksville and Robert Waters of Florida and two brothers-in-law, Tommy Groves (Linda) of Hampstead and John Weston of Beulaville.

He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren every chance he had. John's other love was his job. John retired from the NC Wildlife Resource Commission and later took a job with Pender County Sheriff's Department as a detective. Currently, he was working for the Department of Defense as a Game Warden at Camp LeJeune. He was an active member of Blakes Chapel Advent Christian Church since 1984.

The family will receive friends 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. today (Saturday) at Blakes Chapel Advent Christian Church Fellowship Hall.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, following the visitation, at Blakes Chapel Advent Christian Church with Pastor Steve Spearing, Pastor Edward Dowd and Chaplain Robert Carpenter officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tim Cherry, Gary Wilcox, Paul Boniface, William Rogers, Pat O'Neal and Charles Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Metters, Kay J. Dunn, Herman Strickland and George Wheelis.

John will be missed deeply by his family and friends. His family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr John Anagnost, his staff, the wonderful nurses on 10th floor of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Staff.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.