William Davis Waters

William Davis Waters finished the living history of his life on January 2, 2026 before departing for a new chapter of eternal life in heaven. Despite multiple medical issues, including kidney disease for the last 15 years, he never gave up his slow sweet smile, attention to detail, or a genuine "thank you" for every kindness. 

The second son of Mary Elizabeth George and Dee Howard Waters, he is survived by his wife of 32 years Denise (Conner) Waters, his brother Michael D. Waters, nieces and nephews and their families, and a host of friends and former history colleagues.

Davis was a proud graduate of Wake Forest University (MA, 1972), having attended Pfeiffer College and UNC Charlotte (BA,1969). He was employed by the NC Department of Cultural Resources as a Museum Specialist, working with the Tarheel Junior Historian program at the NC Museum of History, Site Manager at Historic Edenton, and ending his career as Site Manager at Bennett Place in Durham, which marks the largest troop surrender of the Civil War. He also worked as Superintendent of Carter's Grove Plantation in Williamsburg. 

In retirement he worked at Brick Alley Books, Little Luxuries, and The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough in addition to volunteering to help kindergarteners learn to read at a local elementary school. 

He delighted in travel, college and professional athletics (Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49's, etc.), collecting sports cards, reading, texting friends and family, watching Andy Griffith shows because of their values, and watching "baby days" be born (dawn). 

His notable accomplishments include successfully nominating two sites for NC Highway Historical Markers (home of the Rains brothers in New Bern, and Babies Hospital west of Wrightsville Beach, NC (which saved his life as an infant), as well as authoring a book telling the story of Gabriel Rains, inventor of land mines. He was awarded North Carolina's highest honor "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine" in December of 2005. 

A Celebration of Christ's Resurrection and Service of Thanksgiving and Memory will be held at Hillsborough United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. with visitation half hour before OR after, and interment of ashes in the church memorial garden. 

The family was assisted by many wonderful medical doctors, nurses, aides, and also by Transitions Hospice of Raleigh in the final stage of his illness, and with Aquamation by Endswell, a modern funeral home in Hillsborough. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital "because they help little children who go through so much" (501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105), Hillsborough UMC Choir "because they are a vital part of the church" (130 West Tryon St. 27278), Transitions Hospice (250 Hospice Circle Raleigh 27607), or the charity of one's choice. 

So long, farewell. Are we to say good-bye? Goodbye! (Sound of Music). "Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." (Tagore)