William John Watters

William John Watters, age 86, passed away on Monday, March 14 in the Transitional Care Unit at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana with his family at his side.   Bill was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear   Palsy (PSP) in 2006 and he fought a courageous but losing battle against the many physical afflictions it hailed   upon him.   As he coped with the disease he would often comment, ""It's just part of the program"".   Bill was born on May 4, 1924 in Washburn, WI, the youngest child of George and Mabel (Summerfield) Watters.   Growing   up near the shores of Lake Superior, he always appreciated the beauty of northern Wisconsin - truly God's country.   After graduating from the Washburn High School in 1942 he decided to proudly serve his country.   Too young to be a pilot, he joined the Navy and trained to become an Aircrewman.   He flew on over 20 missions off the USS ShangriLa Aircraft   Carrier in the Pacific.   After his honorable discharge in March 1946, he returned to Wisconsin earning a B.S. degree in agronomy from U.W. Madison in 1950.   Bill met the love of his life, Betty Jane Young, at an American Legion dance   in 1946 and they were married 3 years later in Milwaukee on August 27, 1949.   They happily celebrated their   60th wedding anniversary before Betty passed away exactly one year ago on Monday, March 15.   Bill spent his career   in agricultural sales.   After working for one year as a soil scientist for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in North   Dakota, he joined Northrup King & Co. as a territory salesman out of Lansing, Michigan.   His career path took him   to Minneapolis in 1954 and finally to Madison in 1959 where he served as an Assistant Branch and Sales Manager for   Northrup King, then E-Z Flo Chemical Co., Union Carbide, and finally ConAgra, retiring in 1986.   The favorite part of   his job was traveling the scenic country roads and the friendships he made along the way.   Bill was very proud of his Irish heritage.   He and Betty made numerous visits to Ireland and were active members of the Dane County Shamrock Club. After retiring he was able to enjoy golf and bowling leagues with his buddies, trout   fishing in secret streams, Navy reunions, and precious time spent with his family and grandchildren.   He was a history   buff and an avid reader, making many a trip to the local library.   Of course he loved his Badgers and his Packers!   Bill was a long time member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish.   After Betty passed away he moved to a wonderful   assisted living facility in Indiana, just minutes from his oldest son's home, where he spent the last year of his life.    Bill is survived by his three children, Ann (Dennis) Dolan of Madison, George (Barb) Watters of Indianapolis, and Dan Watters of Albuquerque, eight grandchildren, Brian and Andrew Dolan; Jennifer, Jason, Aaron (Tory) Watters; Taylor, Summer, Chance Watters, sister Gladys Allen, sister-in-law Lucille Watters, and many nephews, nieces, and other extended family members.   He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George, Frank (Bud) and Don, sister Betty, youngest son David in 2006, and of course his beloved wife Betty last year.   Bill was a very quiet, honest, thoughtful man with a strong faith in God.   He loved his family and friends   dearly.   We all love you too Dad, and your spirit will be with us always.   May you finally be at peace with Mom and Dave in Heaven.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison on Saturday, March 19, 2011, with visitation from 9:00 am in the vestibule of the church until the time of service. Mass will be followed by a lunch and then burial.   The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in Bill's name to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish, Catholic Relief Services, or CurePSP (Foundation for PSP and Related   Brain Diseases).