William Joseph Waters

William Joseph (Joe) Waters was called to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 after a brief illness. Born Sept. 19, 1947 in Chillicothe, Joe would always love to share a story about being a kid growing up on the neighborhood streets of his life-long home. Joe graduated from Ohio University in 1969 and was a High School English teacher in his early twenties. Joe had a great love for music and in 1971 he opened a small recording studio in an old general store that his father owned in Massieville. This studio, Appalachia Sound, grew in reputation and Joe expanded his services to include equipment sales. Going one step further, Joe started offering recording classes to his customers. In 1977 these recording classes grew into The Recording Workshop, a school of world renown that still operates in the original location in Massieville. He was also well respected as a recording artist. He hit the Billboard Magazine Charts in the 1980's several times with selections from his album, "Harvest Moon". Joe's contribution to social activism included his concerns for the proper handling of nuclear wastes, for which the city of Biloxi, Mississippi awarded him the Key to the City in 1985. His business savvy spread to the starting of Video Avenue in 1986 and Paradise Pizza in 1987. The Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce honored Joe as "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 1989. Joe's passion to share the Lord's blessings led him to be instrumental in helping start several churches in the Chillicothe area, including Open Door Church, Church on the Rock and Philadelphia Hall. Joe had a friend on every street of Chillicothe. And, there was no place in town that Joe couldn't walk into and quickly start an engaging conversation with a new acquaintance. Surviving are his beloved wife, Connie and sons, Chris and Scott, all of Chillicothe. This family shared a home full of Love and Faith. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Byron (Barney) and Mildred (Millie) Waters, a sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Richard Seidt and brother-in-law, William R. Willis. Joe's youngest son, David, passed away in 1999 and was always present in Joe's heart. The bond between this father and son shall be wonderfully welcomed in Heaven. Also waiting with the Lord are Joe's parents, Clyde and Erma (Burton) Waters and his sister, Lorraine V. Willis. He had also lost young siblings, Frankie and Eileen Waters. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 in the Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home with Mike Jones, Dave Foster and Stan Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday.