Mr. Charles Waters

December 8, 1938 - September 18, 2022
Mr. Charles  Waters

Gifts & Memorial Donations

Upright and Just in All His Ways

Charles Waters, 83, of Hendersonville passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022, in his home surrounded by his family. 

Charles was born on December 8, 1938, to the late Clarence Rudolph and Lucy Howell Waters in Portsmouth, Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree in History at Duke University in 1961. Thereafter, he served in the United States Navy for four years and then began pursuing his law degree at the University of North Carolina School of Law. While in Chapel Hill he married his first wife and mother of his children, Lee Hastings Waters. He graduated from UNC School of Law in 1968 and returned to Hendersonville to join the law firm of Howe & Coiner, thus beginning his 48-year career as an attorney. He later became managing partner of Howe, Waters & Moxley. Charles proved himself to be outstanding in his field; many colleagues would tell you he was one of the most authentic and respected community leaders in Western North Carolina. 

He was dedicated to his family, professional pursuits, and his love-hate relationship with the Carolina-Duke rivalry! In his free time, he took great pleasure in gardening, hiking, fly fishing, reading, traveling, and both his wives’ cooking. Charles was a master story-teller and loved to regale an audience with stories on everything from a childhood ride in a convertible on the day WWII ended, to life in the Navy on an anti-submarine aircraft carrier, to the trip he took sailing the high seas and posing as an Andy Rooney lookalike. The summers he spent with many of his Waters relatives at Douthat State Park in Virginia were some of the happiest times of his life. 

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Lee Hastings Waters and parents, Clarence Rudolph Waters and Lucy Howell Waters.

He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Linda Moxley Waters; daughters, Emily Waters Shearer of Houston, Texas and Sara Waters Schwartz of Durham; son, Andrew Waters of Spartanburg, SC; sister, Jane Waters Nielsen of South Yarmouth, MA; his four adoring grandchildren and his four legged best friend, Sofie.       

Charles never met a stranger. He and his trademark grin were known up and down Main Street Hendersonville where he was commonly seen strolling  in a seersucker suit. Over the span of his career he served the community on the boards of Pardee Hospital, Carolina Village and Henderson County Community Foundation. His efforts benefited his neighborhoods, his law affiliations and once, he even conducted the Hendersonville Symphony. He’ll be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. “Upright and just in all his ways.” 

Memorial contributions in Charles’s memory may be made to the St. Gerard House, 620 Oakland Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791, or The Free Clinics, 841 Case St, Hendersonville, NC 28792. 


Reception

A reception will be held in Charlie’s memory at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Carolina Village Hall.

Saturday, October 1, 2022
3:00 PM

Carolina Village Hall - Directions
600 Carolina Village Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Graveside

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Oakdale Cemetery on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 1:00 PM.

Wednesday, December 28, 2022
1:00 PM

Oakdale Cemetery - Directions
Hwy 64W
Hendersonville, NC 28739

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  • December 28, 2022
    Spence and Marianne Campbell says:
    To Charlie's Family. When we came here in the 1990's after retiring from the Army in 1992, Marianne's dad, Frank Ewbank, told us that he would introduce us to Charlie and see if he would be our attorney. It soon became clear to us that Marianne's dad and Charlie were two members of the local self-anointed leadership crowd. Mr. Ewbank was right. Charlie was not only a superb lawyer, but also a terrific person. We were honored to know him and appreciative of his presence in our lives.

  • September 28, 2022
    Karen Luke Jackson says:
    Dear Andrew, Emily & Sara, My heart goes out to the three of you on the loss of your dad. He was an incredible man who in a quiet and unassuming way contributed so much to our community. He and your mom Lee were the first people to welcome me to Hendersonville, and for their warmth and friendship, I will be forever grateful. When I lost my parents, a friend sent a quote by Saint John Chrysostom that I still keep near: "Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are." Sending love and light to you in the days ahead.

  • September 26, 2022
    Van Geouge says:
    Charlie Waters was a great man . He was always professional and advised me in business matters that proved to be extremely accurate and timely. We always had respect for his knowledge and demeanor. He will be missed by anyone that knew him. May God bless the family. Van and Mary Geouge

  • September 26, 2022
    Tim Mullinax says:
    I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Linda and the Waters family. When I applied to take the Bar Exam in 1976, there was a requirement that applicants meet with a committee of lawyers in the community where you intended to practice. I met with Frank Coiner, Don Elkins and Charles Waters. My first impression of Charles was what a fine, considerate and kind man he was. My numerous interactions with him over the past 46 years have only confirmed and strengthened that first impression. I also have learned what a competent and ethical lawyer and TRUE FRIEND he could be.

  • September 25, 2022
    Bobby Schwartz (FL) says:
    Awwww Sara. Sending you and your family the biggest hug. I know you will all miss him deeply. His legacy lives on in your kindness. XOXO Bobby S