William "Bill" Adkison Waters

1st SGT (Ret) USMC

1948 – 2021

“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death.  I do not concern myself with that, but to always be ready no mater when it may overtake me.  This is the way all men should live, then all would be equally brave.”

General Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jackson July 24, 1861, 3 days after First Manassas.

A Proud and Patriotic United States Marine; Bill passed away on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, at his home in Pensacola, FL. He was known and loved by many as ‘Bill,’ ‘Billy,’ “Uncle Bill,” or “Papa”.

He lived a life filled with numerous adventures and good times.  Bill will always be remembered as a fighter who would never give up.  He believed in being kind and respectful to everyone and he was a caring and compassionate soul. 

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Earl F. Waters; mother, Margaret “Bengi” Wilbanks; sister, Mary Waters; brother, John “John Boy” Waters and numerous Marine Corps brothers and sisters.  Survivors include his wife, Linda; sister, Cathy; brothers, Earl and Richard; sons, Allen and John; daughters, Julie, Karen, Carol and Charlott; 15 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and military family and friends. 

There will be a visitation from 9-10:00 am on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home.  A funeral service will begin at 10:00 am Thursday at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will follow in Mount Gilead Eight Mile Creek Church Cemetery in Geneva County Alabama. 

You may express condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com.  Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home of Crestview is entrusted with the arrangements. 

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