James William Waters, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, lovingly known as Jim, Dad, Papaw, Uncle Jimmy, and Uncle Clear, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was 76 years old.
Jim was born on December 26, 1949, in Marshall, Missouri, to George William Waters and Bertie Mae (Dykes) Waters. Raised with the values of hard work, humility, and faith, he carried those principles with him throughout his life, quietly leaving the world better than he found it.
On February 14, 1971, he married the love of his life and best friend, Paula Kay (Root) Waters. For 55 years, they built a life centered on love, family, faith, and caring for others. Together they created a home where everyone felt welcome, where laughter was plentiful, and where helping someone in need was simply what you did.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George William Waters and Bertie Mae (Dykes) Waters; his sister, Marcia Ann (Waters) Kurtz; his niece, Carolyn Kurtz; his grandchild through his daughter, Michelle Carter; and his great-grandchild through his grandson, Nathan Carter.
He leaves behind his devoted wife, Paula Kay (Root) Waters; his daughter, Michelle Rosalie (Waters) Carter of Bentonville, Arkansas, and her partner, Charles Brockmeyer; grandsons Nathan Carter (fiancée Evany Witkowski) and Nicholas Carter; granddaughters Abby Poteet (daughter, Aria Poteet), Hailee Brockmeyer (sons, Waylon and Weston Brockmeyer, and William, expected in October), and Holly (Brockmeyer) Ogden (daughter, Oakley Ogden).
He is also survived by his son, James William Waters Jr. and his wife, Angie (Wade) Waters of Bentonville, Arkansas; grandson Austin Waters (daughter, Malani Waters); granddaughters, Emma Waters and Kaitlin Waters; his brother, Richard Waters and his wife, Debra (Brandt) Waters, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and many other beloved family members and loved ones whose lives were touched by his kindness and love.
Jim never looked for recognition or praise. He believed that the best way to live was simply to show up for people. If a friend called needing help, he was there. If something was broken, he would fix it. If someone needed encouragement, he offered it without hesitation. He served others not because anyone asked him to, but because that was who he was.
His Christian faith wasn’t something he talked about often-it was something he lived. He loved generously, forgave freely, and treated everyone with kindness and respect. His steady presence, quiet wisdom, and servant’s heart left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Those closest to Jim will forever remember his corny dad jokes that somehow never got old, his love of reading and watching movies, his attention to detail, and his incredible ability to solve almost any problem. He seemed to know how to fix everything-from broken appliances to broken hearts-and he never hesitated to lend a hand. His family knew that if Dad or Papaw said he’d take care of something, they never had to worry again.
More than anything, Jim loved his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with those he loved, celebrating their accomplishments, sharing stories, and creating memories that will be treasured for generations. The lessons he taught weren’t spoken as much as they were demonstrated through his everyday life: work hard, keep your word, care for others, and love without expecting anything in return.
While his family grieves his passing, they also celebrate a life beautifully lived. His legacy is found not in titles or achievements, but in the countless acts of kindness, the people he helped, the family he cherished, and the example he set. His influence will continue through the lives of those who loved him, and his memory will remain a blessing for generations to come.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at Nelson Cemetery in Nelson, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Nelson Cemetery in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
Source: KMZU, The Farm
