Rev. Bob E. Waters, Retired
November 22, 1927 – March 17, 2018
Rev. Bob E. Waters, 90, passed away March 17, 2018. Born November 22, 1927, he graduated from high school in Woodville, Texas in 1945. After attending Lon Morris College for two years, he married Violet Vaughan of Port Neches, Texas; the two of them graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1949. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He joined the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1951, and was ordained Deacon in 1952 and Elder in 1953.
After serving churches in Orange, Beaumont, and Kountze, Texas, he was pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Texas City, Texas from 1964 to 1969; Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas from 1969 to 1975; and A&M United Methodist Church in College Station, Texas from 1975 to 1987. That year he was appointed District Superintendent of the Beaumont District, where he served until his retirement in 1993.
Bob is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Violet Waters; their children, Vaughan Waters of San Antonio, Texas, Wesley Waters of Woodville, Texas, Stephen Waters of Center, Texas, and Suzanne Weeks of Killeen, Texas; ten grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. Among his favorite Bible verses was that of Romans 8:38 – 8:39: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Monday evening, March 19th, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas; the funeral will take place at A&M United Methodist Church in College Station at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, followed by burial in Woodville at 3:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers are the United Methodist Church, its Clergy and Members. In lieiu of flowers, donations may be made to any church affiliated with Bob’s ministry.
“God, bless the law that tells us we are incomplete and needy. But God, bless us even more with the love that restores and makes new! Grant us grace – grace enough to live in a covenant with You. And that will be all we need. Amen.” — Bob E. Waters, “Rise, and Have No Fear”
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
To all the Waters family— my deepest sympathy. Prayers will be with you. Your family was special to our family for many years
Thank you Beth, give my very best to my ole buddy Scott. Bless you both.
Steve
Our prayers and love for Violet and the family. Pastor Bob was our wonderful friend from Tennison.
Dear Violet and family, we were saddened to read the article of Bob’ passing. I (Bobby) remember working with him when he was Beaumont District Superintendent. Violet, I’m Ann and Earl Smith’s daughter that lived across from your Mom. Mother always loved visiting her and hearing about your family. So sorry for your loss. Jan Smith Alexander and Bobby Alexander
Our sincerest condolences to you, Violet, and your family in the loss of Rev. Waters. He married me and my first husband back in 1976. Upon returning to College Station 25 years later, Rev. Waters recognized me and gave me a huge hug. As an usher at A&M UMC for several years, Rev. Waters always stopped to shake my hand and give me huge hugs! I just lost my father in December at 90, so I understand how difficult it is right now. He’s in a better place and we’ll always miss him!
Violet and family, this is the little girl that lived next door to your mother and father in law…Clyde and Jack Waters…..or “pappy” as he was called….there are so many memories….so many….I’m so sorry to hear about Bobby…..much love to all….Susan Clay Cole
Mrs. Waters and family, sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Rev. Waters was one of the kindest man I ever knew, he always had the biggest smile and greatest of hugs. He married me and my husband on February 21, 1987. I had to beg him to marry us, because he was leaving the next morning to go out of the country…I think South America. I can only imagine how much each and everyone of you will miss him. God Bless each and everyone of you.
We send our love to you all and I know that Uncle Bobby will be with his beautiful mother Mamaw, Pappy, uncle Jerry and my dad Cooter. Uncle Bobby loved life, God and his wonderful family. God bless you and we pray that Jesus will mend your hearts with his love. Jeff
It is with a heavy heart that I leave this message for Steve and Kim Waters and the entire Waters family. Saying goodbye to a parent is one of the hardest things to do in this world and it never gets easier, but life does go on. It is especially easier knowing that they are going to a better place and we are certain that is where Rev. Bob is going. We only met Rev. Bob a couple of times but he treated us as though he had known us forever because he knew that Steve was a very special person to us. He even wrote us a letter thanking us for being such good friends and “adopted parents” to Steve! You don’t find very many people in this world that will take out time to thank you for being a friend to their children so it was really a special letter for us. And in his last year, as fate would have it, our granddaughter went to work in the assisted living center where he and Mrs. Violet were and they took up with her as one of their own and returned the favor of watching over our Micah for us. God does have a special way of taking care of all of his children so I feel like now, Rev. Bob is in Heaven smiling on all of us and saying “Well done, my good and faithful servants” as we all try to live our lives in God’s favor. Steve, please know that we are with you in our thoughts and prayers as you say goodbye to your best friend, your Dad.
We love you.
I cannot imagine a world without Bobby Waters. He was bigger than life itself and always there to comfort anyone. I have fond memories of his leadership with the MYF. Bobby, you will be missed. God bless you. Rest in peace.
Bob and Violet have been very special people to us in the years at A&M Methodist. We moved to College Station in Nov. of 1975 shortly after they moved here. Their pastoral care meant so much to us . Our son, Mark, was only a few months old and in serious condition in the hospital in Navasota as an infant. I can not tell you how much it meant to us to have them walk in the door of his hospital room. They were both such a blessing everywhere they went.
Sending prayers of peace and comfort for the Waters family during this time. Mr. Bob is singing with the angels and smiling. I first met Mr. Bob & Mrs. Violet my freshman year when they hired Aggies from Wesley to rake leaves in their yard as we raised money for Crossbound Choir tour in 2001. I am forever thankful for that day and the many memories after. Also, for the wisdom and example of 70+ years of marriage. Rest In Peace. Amen.
Bob leaves such a tremendous legacy. So many young people who entered the Lord’s service credit him with inspiring them. The world was a richer place because of him. Our sympathy goes out to Violet and the family.
Carl and Sharon Stewart
Dear Mrs Waters and family, Cindy shared with us today the news of Rev Waters’ home going. We are sorry for your loss. He was a good friend of our family and truly a pastor to us in every good and rich sense of that word. May God give you comfort and a sense of his presence during this time. Susan (Koster) Binion, Hilton, South Africa
Bob Waters was a joy to be around. I worked at Lakeview for many years (in the office) , and I always loved when Bob and Violet would come by to visit us. You always felt better after being in their presence. My prayers go out to Violet and the rest of the family. May God give you peace.
I joined the St. John Methodist Church in West Orange, Texas in 1951, where he was the preacher. Never forgot how much he taught us about llving a God loving life. He was awesome.
Reverend Waters,
May you rest in peace. Your kindness and grace will not be forgotten. Your sermons will be missed.
May the LORD continue to bless and keep your family strong.
Dear Waters family,
We knew him and his sweet wife, Violet, as Wes’ dad and Wendy’s grandparents. He was and still is a positive influence and shines the light of Gods love. We are sorry to hear he is gone. But we know he is with his blessed savior Jesus, and we will see him again someday. May God give you comfort and strength. Psalm 23 …
Bob was a counselor and friend to me. He baptized our children and buried my father. He was truly one of the most influential people in my life. He has joined that great cloud of witnesses who, no doubt, have been telling Bob Waters stories as they awaited him. He was an original and we were blessed to know him.
I just learned of Rev. Bob Waters death while reading the Sawdust magazine from SFA. I grew up in Douglass,TX just west of Nacogdoches and your Dad stayed for a time in my grandmother Bobo’s home. My family called him Bobby. The night I was born 6/8/1948 your mom and dad kept my older sister, Pat. Evidently she and your parents loved each other. I grew up with stories about Pat and your parents…one being that she would holler his name “Bob!” during church services at the Douglass Methodist Church. Rev. Bob conducted him mom’s funeral service in 2005 at Perritte Memorial in Nac. I’m so sorry for your loss of this fine, Godly man. I hope you take comfort in the love, peace, guidance, influence and comfort that your Dad so freely gave to so many people. The Bobo family loved him dearly.
Sharon (Bobo) Buban
Brenham, Texas