Warner Waters Obituary

Warner Steynen "Joe" Waters, Jr., of Fredericksburg, Va., and Berlin, Md., passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, he lived courageously with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Born to B. Irene and Warner Steynen Waters, Sr., Joe grew up in Linthicum Heights, Md., as the oldest of four children. After graduating from Andover High School, he matriculated at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel), where he played football, served as president of his fraternity, participated in the Army ROTC program, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics in 1971.

He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served his country in the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, Joe played for the Carroll County Chargers semi-professional football team, began a 40-year career in banking, and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Baltimore. He held leadership roles in commercial lending at First National and Maryland National banks, served as President and CEO of Mellon Bank Delaware, and retired as a senior vice president at BB&T in Ocean City, Md. He also earned his U.S. Coast Guard Master's License as owner of Oxford Sailing Charters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Joe was known for his sarcastic sense of humor and direct communication style. He was a lifelong learner, spontaneous adventurer, curious conversationalist, and world traveler. At home, he could be found on the beach, on the porch, or tending to his vegetable garden.

A quiet supporter of many causes, Joe was a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, served on the board of Atlantic General Hospital, and volunteered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Left to cherish Joe's memory are his wife of 25 years, Ruth Waters, son Thomas Conor Waters, daughter Elizabeth Waters Hunsinger (Brent), grandson Jackson Waters Hunley, stepdaughter Jessica Rhynalds, and former wife and friend Lois Siler. He is survived by a sister, Nancy McClintock, a brother, William Waters, and several brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. His parents and a sister, Patricia Norris, preceded him in death.

Interment and a celebration of Joe's life will be held in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the Alzheimer's Association, or your favorite charity.