Benjamin Buford Waters, IV, 41, of Greer, died February 22, 2017.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was the son of Buddy and Vicki Carpenter Waters, Vice-President of Cunningham-Waters Construction Co., Inc., a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greer.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife, Beth Caldwell Waters and two daughters, Caldwell and Dorothy (Dot) all of the home; one brother, Gabe Waters (Ashley) of Greenville and one sister, Marie Weaver (Jonathan) of Nashville, Tennessee. Also surviving are his wife’s parents Jim and Amy Caldwell who treated them as their son, along with a host of relatives on both sides of his family.
Ben was a third generation graduate of The Citadel, Class of 1997, and a decorated Captain in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. After his four years of military service he joined father and brother in the family business. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who had through-hiked the Appalachian Trail’s 2550 miles, from Maine to Georgia. He adored his wife and children and was an exceptional father, teaching his daughters outdoor skills from the time they could walk and spending untold hours at the family farm with them. His hunting partners were often his brother and his father. The three of them had many adventurous weekends together at Red Bluff Lodge in Allendale, South Carolina as well as at the family farm.
Ben’s friends were a focus for him from childhood. The close ones are too numerous to recount in this obituary. The family has been amazed at the outpouring of love from Ben and Beth’s friends. The response to his death has been overwhelming from lifelong childhood friends, Greer High Classmates and his close friends from The Citadel and the Army. The humorous stories, tales of unknown kindnesses bestowed on people from every walk of life and his legendary “Porch Friends” from college days have enlightened, cheered us and sustained us in our grief.
Ben was known as to his inner circle as “Gentle Ben”. He was a gentle man and a gentlemen. His friends’ parents have reported his old south charm and slow southern drawl as highlights from their child rearing days. He was constantly centered on his family and their welfare. This was an exceptional man, who will be greatly and painfully missed by the many that love him. It was a privilege to call him daddy, husband, son or friend.
A gathering of friends is scheduled for 2:00-4:00 P.M. Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the social hall of First Presbyterian Church, Greer, S.C. and the funeral service is at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 3:00 P.M, February 26, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted by his pastor, Reverend Brandi Casto-Waters and Reverend Hamilton Smith of Charleston, S.C. Burial will be private, in the family plots at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Greer, S.C., 100 Church Street, Greer, S.C. 29651 or the charity of one’s choice .
Online condolences may be made at www.thewood mortuary.com.
Posted in: Tributes.com
Posted on: 2017-02-24
Link to original obituary: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Benjamin-Waters-104501077