Merrill Waters Obituary

Merrill Corcoran Waters, age 72 of Grand Haven, passed away Friday, December 4, 2020 at North Ottawa Community Hospital. He was born on February 24, 1948 in Laramie, Wyoming to Dorothy and George Waters. Although his family moved around frequently, it was Lawrence that he considered home. He fondly remembered playing sports and attending Lawrence High School, Class of 1966. Merrill married Kim Schoonveld on July 16, 1994 in Sacramento, California.

After one year of college, Merrill was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. where he proudly served his country for 12 years. During this time he achieved final rank of Major and had served on the 3rd Recon Battalion during the Vietnam War. Merrill obtained a dual Bachelor's and Master's degree in business at the University of San Diego. After Merrill was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps., he and his business partner started American Providers. After becoming a Financial Advisor he found a lot of meaning in caring for clients and advising Seniors.

Merrill was a loving man who had a passion for spending time with family and friends. The time he spent with his son, Merrill, talking on the phone miles apart or visiting in person gave him great joy. Merrill liked telling stories from his years in the Marine Corps., riding his bike, working out at the gym, watching football, and spending time with his two dogs, Buddy and Holiday. He was an avid reader and loved traveling the world with his wife, Kim, and children, Merrill and Meghan. He would often invite the nieces and nephews to join.

Merrill is lovingly remembered and missed by his wife, Kim Waters; son, Merrill Corcoran Waters, II, of Boston, MA; daughter, Meghan Cameron of Vallejo, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Diane Waters of Georgetown, TX; sister-in-law, Beverly (Patrick) Waters of Florida; step-mother, JoAnn Waters of Georgetown, TX; mother-in-law, Verna Schoonveld of Grand Haven, MI; brother and sister-in-laws, Greg and Chris Schoonveld of Sacramento, CA, Doug and Julie Schoonveld of Grand Haven, MI, and Kelly Schoonveld of Grand Haven, MI; nieces and nephews: Nicole Egan (James, Liam, Gideon), Maggie Lynn, Ami Waters, Kara Kelly, Amy Schoonveld (Kaisinn, Jack, Sam, Sawyer), Jake Waters, Tracy Stark (Brian, Eloise, Reagan, Joanna), Matthew Schoonveld (Krystle, Tateum, Cameron, Addy), Kara Schoonveld (Jenn Errol), and Holly Hastings (Dave, Hunter, Cooper).

Merrill was preceded in death by his father, George Waters; his mother and step-father, Dorothy and Ned Putzell; his brother, Patrick Waters; his brother and sister in-law, Michael and Carol Waters; and his father in-law, John Schoonveld, Jr.

A Celebration of Life for Merrill will be held on August 14 in Grand Haven, Michigan. Memories and words of condolences can be shared at www.merrillwaters.com.