Dr. John H. Waters. a soft-spoken and modest war hero who practiced medicine in Evanston for three decades, died Sunday in Casper at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Jerry Cornia. He was 93.
John Henry Waters was born August 31, 1918 in Bisbee, Arizona. He was a graduate of Bisbee High School, University of Arizona and Tulane University medical school. He married Mary Louise Varney of Evanston July 25, 1943.
After finishing his internship at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, he became a combat medic with the 78th Infantry Division, serving in the Hurtgen Forest and crossing the Rhine at Remagen, Germany in March of 1945. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star for risking his own life to get to wounded fellow soldiers.
In 1946 he came to Evanston, practicing first with Dr. Josiah Holland, then on his own and later became a founding partner in the Evanston Medical Group. His six children all were graduates of Evanston High School. Dr. Waters, practicing in the era of house calls, delivered well over 3,000 babies in Evanston and surrounding areas. He often drove far into rural areas and around town at all hours of the day and night to care for patients.
In retirement, he spent time at his home in Salt Lake City, his cabin at Bear Lake and a winter place in Mesa, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise. He is survived by his children, William Wynne Waters and wife, Julie, of Chimayo, New Mexico; Barbara Louise Waters Cornia and husband Jerry Cornia of Casper; John Clifford Waters and wife Vivien of Long Beach, California; Michael Bryce Waters and wife, Chris, of Salt Lake City; Bruce Bradley Waters and wife, Tina of Cody, and Mark James Waters of Chandler, Arizona. He had 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services are to take place on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Mt. Olympus LDS ward Chapel in Salt Lake City, UT. 4176 S. 3930 E. A viewing will be held on Saturday, one hour prior to services. Interment will follow in the Evanston City Cemetery, Evanston, WY.