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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  • September 25, 2022
    Sharon Johnson says:
    Dear Linda, Andrew, Emily, and Sara, We had the opportunity to see Charlie, Linda, & Emily this summer downtown! Charlie was his usual charming self with his dry sense of humor! I had the pleasure of serving on the Carolina Village Board with him for a number of years and always respected his valuable contribution to the residents. We’ll miss him as a friend and honored member of our community. ‘Sending love and peace to each of you. Steve & Sharon Johnson

  • September 23, 2022
    Dave Fox says:
    As I practiced with Frank Coiner 20 or so years, I often saw Charlie who dropped in frequently. One of my very favorite members of the Bar. Spent hours overlapping with him in the old courthouse record room, searching land titles. We swapped stories of our times in uniform. Recall his loathing of the theme for the old TV series "Victory at Sea". Charlie said that aboard ship they always played it in the mess galley. Every meal, every day. A very, very good man.

  • September 22, 2022
    Kay Smith says:
    I have known Mr Waters since I started working at the Clerk of Courts office in 1981. He was Always Friendly and Highly Respected by everyone and an Excellent Attorney. I will miss seeing him at The Register of Deeds! Love and Prayers to you Linda and all the Family!

  • September 22, 2022
    Wanda Sizemore says:
    I came to know Mr. Waters through my job at the Henderson County Clerk of Court's office. He was a very knowledgeable and kind man and I enjoyed talking with him. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.

  • September 22, 2022
    Matt Matteson says:
    Charlie Waters could have done many great things but he did right with his chosen profession and Henderson County was fortunate to have him. I will miss his good counsel and friendship.