Dr. William M. Waters

William M. Waters, Ph.D, 70, of Lake Winola, died Thursday morning at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Born in Scranton, son of the late William A. and Evelyn Hudak Waters, he was a member of St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake Winola.  He grew up in Franklin, NJ, and graduated from Franklin High School as Class Valedictorian. He was a Summa Cum Laude graduate in mathematics of Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, where he was also student director of the marching band. He earned his MA and Ph. D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, where he was an academic fellowship recipient.

Bill began his professional career as a teacher of mathematics at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School in Princeton Junction, NJ. There he taught courses ranging from basic math through calculus and served as Assistant Marching Band Director. He then began a twenty-six year career as a school administrator in the Morris Hills Regional District, Rockaway, NJ. There he served as Supervisor of Instruction for Mathematics, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction, and District Director for Instructional Services. He served as the founding Director of the Morris County Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, a county magnet school for outstanding students in mathematics and science.

In these positions, Bill was responsible for developing and implementing district curriculum initiatives, long-range planning, and technology innovations. He played a key role in supervision and professional development of teaching staff. He actively contributed to the education profession through frequent presentations to educational organizations, including the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Staff Development Council, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 

Bill loved spending time at "The Little Pines" cottage at Lake Winola where he was a lifelong summer resident and a year-round resident during retirement. He was an avid gardener and boater and enjoyed hosting family holiday parties and summer activities at the lake. He was a devoted New York Yankees and Penn State football fan and enjoyed attending Penn State football games. In retirement, he was an active member of St. Mary of the Lake Church, where he served as a coordinator of the Digital Disciples Ministry, lector, and member of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Bill served as Vice Chair of The Wright Center for Community Health's Board of Directors and Co-Chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement. He was a relentless champion for developing community needs, responsive primary care services, and primary care physician champions. In his role as co-chair and a founding board member of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, he passionately inspired governance and wider community engagement in operational initiatives to address the crippling social and economic determinants of health faced by those most underserved and marginalized in our communities.

He selflessly served in so many ways, such as his frequent volunteering for food pantry events, blood drives, the annual health fair and other community events. He actively engaged in public health advocacy activities with federal and state elected officials and administrators. Most notably, he played a crucial leadership role in the empowered inclusion of resident physicians as voting members serving on the Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors. Bill also co-designed and implemented a board member mentoring program, co-designed and implemented a robust board and committee annual self-assessment process, and courageously supported The Wright Center’s commitment to the highest levels of patient safety and quality.

The family would like to thank Dr. Linda Thomas and colleagues for their professional services and kind and compassionate care.

He is survived by cousins including Joan Waters, Duryea, Elizabeth Minchak and husband Joseph, Duryea, Robert Clifford, Patrick Clifford, Mary Bosch, Anne Clifford, and Paul Clifford.

The funeral will be Monday with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary of the Lake, 1872 Dalton Rd., Lake Winola, PA.  Interment to be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Family and friends may pay their respects at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of the Lake, 1872 Dalton Rd, Lake Winola, PA 18625 or to The Wright Center for Community Health’s Care Management and Spiritual Aid Program for Vulnerable Citizens under the able stewardship of Kari Machelli, R.N. 501 South Washington Avenue, Suite 1000, Scranton, PA 18505.

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