William James Waterman, Jr.

September 22, 1921 - July 5, 2013 William Waterman, 91 William James Waterman Jr. passed away Friday July 5th at the age of 91 in Denver Colorado. His wife of 69 years, Vivian, was by his side. Bill was born in Denver September 22nd 1921 to William and Dorthy Larson Waterman. He was an only child. At the age of 13, his beloved mother passed away of pneumonia, after which he went to live with his paternal grandparents, William Thomas and Margaret Turner Waterman in Golden, Colorado. He attended Regis High School, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher, as well as academically. He was offered a partial scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines, but chose instead to work for Public Service Company of Colorado in 1939. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Air Force, and joined Air/Sea Rescue. He served on the islands of Tinian and Saipan, as a navigator and instructor aboard B-17s, until his discharge from active duty in 1946. He remained in the Air Force Reserves for over 20 years until retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is survived by his wife Vivian, his children Mark Waterman, Marsha Waterman and Karen Stephens, his sons-in-law Dennis Stephens and Edgar Johnson, his daughter-in-law Julie Haugan, and his grandsons Will, Patrick, and Jim Stephens. He was preceded in death by his infant son Michael Waterman, many life-long cherished friends and several wonderful dogs. Bill devoted his life to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, a caring friend, and a gentleman. He was a captivating storyteller, and a friend to all. He loved animals, whistling with the birds, and appreciating the beauty of the mountains. He saw much of the world through his military service, but was content in his later years to sip iced tea on the porch of the Golden, Colorado house he built in 1952. Services will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church in Arvada at 11am on Wednesday July 10th, followed by burial ceremony at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.