William Richard Watters Sr., 78, passed away Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at his home in Wellington, Ohio. He was a car enthusiast, a gardener, a patriot, a poet, and, above all, a family man.

He was born Nov. 11, 1945, in Oberlin, the son of the late Florence (nee Clodwick) and H. Robert Watters. He was a lifelong Wellington resident and a Wellington High School graduate, Class of 1965. When drafted later that year, or as he liked to say, for his senior trip, he joined the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam. He specialized in ordinance and achieved the rank of Specialist (E5). He was a Purple Heart recipient. He later served in the Army National Guard.

He returned home in 1967, married in 1968, and started a family. He worked 31 years at Ford Motor Co. in Lorain, retiring in 1997.

He was an avid car enthusiast, from drag racing as a young man to restoring and showing classic cars until his death. He loved gardening and took great pride in creating and maintaining his home on Hawley Road. More than anything, Bill cherished his family. "The best friends you'll ever have are your family," he always said.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley A. Watters, and brother Robert E. Watters. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara (Sparks), and their three children, Connie Haswell of Wellington, Carrie (Tony) Miranda of Surprise, Arizona, and William Watters Jr. (Valerie) of Wellington; 10 grandchildren, Alexis, Allison, Anthony, Autumne, Emily, Hannah, Isabella, Jami, Nicole, and Summer; eight great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Sue Clark of Oxford, Kay Edwards of Cambridge, and Bonnie Jordan of Sullivan.

He was a member of Fellowship Church in Wellington, the American Legion, and the V.F.W.

Friends and family will gather Friday, Aug. 16, for visitation starting at 11 a.m. with a 1 p.m. service at Penfield Community Church. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Greenwood Cemetery and a luncheon at the Wellington Eagles.

Those who knew Bill and his love for cars are encouraged to drive their classic cars for his final ride from the service to the cemetery.