Mayo Gillis Waters

Jesse and Flora Waters received the greatest of Christmas blessings when Mayo Gillis Waters was born that day in 1932. It was not long before they started calling him Gil, and this nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Redford High School, Gil spent a year in college, which allowed him to enlist in the Navy as an officer. He was trained to become a meteorologist, and was stationed at the Panama Canal and in Washington DC without ever actually serving aboard a naval vessel. Following his honorable discharge in 1960, he attended Wayne State University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s in Social Studies. His teaching career was spent in Waterford Schools, specializing in English and Social Studies, first at the high school and then the newly-opened Mason Junior High. He remained at the junior high until his retirement in 1995.

In his free time, Gil enjoyed The Great Outdoors - hunting and fishing away from home, and tending to his impressive backyard garden when he returned. He also brought new life to old treasures by refinishing furniture. His passion for woodworking led him to obtain his builder’s license, which allowed him to act as the general contractor for his son Craig’s home, located right next door to the family home on Clark Road in Davisburg. He also used his license to construct his beloved cabin in Mesick with the help of his sons.

As time passed and his outdoor adventures decreased, Gil dedicated more of his time to local endeavors. He was a very active member of Central United Methodist Church, serving as a Trustee and an usher. Additionally, he was one of the participants of Blessings in a Backpack, a charity assisting families with food insecurity here in Waterford, Michigan. He also spent contented hours reading the works of Louis L’Amour, David McCullough and many others.

Anyone who spent time with Gil knew of his love of local sports teams, especially the Detroit Lions and Tigers. Sunday afternoons could find him in his favorite recliner, enjoying a beer and cheering on whichever team was playing that day. Even in his final days he had his Tigers on in the background, these lifelong companions attending him onward to the next adventure.

Gil is preceded in death by his first wife Marion, his parents and his brother Douglas (Beverly). He is survived by his sister Nancy Southwick, his second wife Susan, his children Craig, Todd (Carolina) and Rachel (Mike) Ponkey, as well as Susan’s children Wendy (Greg) MacKenzie and Matt (Julie) Berg. His grandchildren Kaitlin, Alec, Alyssa, Michael, Emma, Caitlin, James, Charlie and Maggie will miss their “Papa Gil”.

Visitation will begin at 1 pm, with a memorial service held at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 28 at Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford. Refreshments will follow at the Shark Club, 6665 Highland Road, Waterford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Jude, another children’s hospital, or a favorite charity.

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