This native of Jacksonville wound up serving his hometown in a number of significant ways during an almost 40-year career in education. A 1955 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Waters returned home to Jacksonville and became a teacher at Jacksonville High while coaching several sports. He also wound up serving as principal there for a year. He served tenures as assistant and associate superintendent in the Onslow County system before becoming superintendent in 1972 and holding that post for almost 20 years. Waters is a past president of the NCHSAA and received a number of awards from the Association, including Superintendent of the Year and Distinguished Service. He had a key role in building the NCHSAA's current offices. Waters has been extremely active in church and civic affairs in Onslow County.