Wendell D. Waters

Wendell D. Waters, age 90, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at his residence in Bartow of cancer. Born May 26, 1918 in Worchester, MA, Mr. Waters has been a resident of Bartow 57 years, moving from Stuart, FL. Mr. Waters was a graduate of Gulf High School in New Port Richey as valedictorian of his class of 1935. He earned a Bachelors degree in Chemistry at University of Tampa, and a Masters degree in Music Education at Florida State University. He was a former Band Director for Jasper and Stuart High Schools. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy as a communications officer in WWII. Mr. Waters moved to Bartow in 1951 employed by IMC Phosphate as a chemist for 20 years, and later with Resources Research of Lakeland. He played a variety of musical instruments with dance bands, playing the guitar and trombone. He played the cello with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, later with the Lakeland Imperial Orchestra for many years. Mr. Waters tuned pianos for local and professional performers at the Lakeland Civic Center, including Elvis Presley and Victor Borge. He was vice president of the Central Florida Technician's Guild. He was a member, choir director and choir member with the Bartow United Methodist Church. He played the cello with the Trio Unlimited Group for weddings and special events and performed in several musical plays at the Lakeland Little Theater, the Messiah orchestra, and the Bartow Concert Band. He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Frances M. Waters. He is survived by his daughters: Nadine Robbins & Husband John Johnson of Bartow; Dorothy & husband Chris Cleaves of Palm Bay; son: Roger & wife Joan Waters of Auburndale; 7 grandchildren: Michael & wife Jeannie Waters; Rose Robbins & husband Rodrigo Sanchez; Suzanne & husband David Boeren; Deborah Cleaves; Derek Cleaves; Kathy Waters; Steven Waters 3 great grandchildren: Sammy Waters; Annabelle Waters; Isabel Frances Sanchez; Family will receive friends Friday January 16, 2009, 6-8 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 455 S. Broadway Ave, Bartow. Funeral services will be held Saturday 10:00 am at the Church. Contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church 455 S. Broadway Bartow 33830; Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave. Auburndale 33823; Imperial Symphony Orchestra, 1037 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland, 33806 or the University of Tampa Music Department, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa 33606. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com