Glenn Dwain Waters, known affectionately as Dwain, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, at the age of 75. Born on September 1, 1951, in Cartersville, Georgia, Dwain was a man of strong character, integrity, passion, and unwavering devotion to his family and his music.
Dwain is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Henry Waters and Elizabeth Azeline McLain Waters, and sibling, Gerald Bryan Waters. His legacy continues through his beloved wife of 53 years, Ann Waters, his daughter, Crystal Waters (Casey Johnson), and his grandson, Cole Waters-Johnson. Dwain is also survived by his brother, Marvin Henry Waters, Jr. (Marilyn), and his sister, Beth Waters Presnell.
In 1973, Dwain married the love of his life, Ann, and together they embarked on a journey of love, family, and adventure. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter in 1980. They enjoyed traveling for work, pleasure, and sports trips and in their later years, Dwain and Ann continued their passion for exploring the world with trips to England, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
Dwain was an environmental and air-waste management regulation expert, serving Mississippi Chemical, Mississippi Power, and ultimately Gulf Power, where he retired after 30 years of dedicated service. In 1989, he cofounded the Coastal Plains Chapter of the Florida Air & Waste Management Association, establishing the Florida Section’s first local chapter and creating a forum for professional to advance air, water, and waste stewardship across the Gulf Coast. The chapter’s long-standing joint technical conference with Florida and Alabama partners, along with its scholarship and student outreach programs, continues to reflect Dwain’s enduring commitment to strengthening the environmental community and developing future environmental leaders—as he too, had profited from a scholarship before completing a BS in Chemistry at the University of West Florida in 1974.
Dwain was an avid boater whose love for wooden boats ran deep in the Waters family heritage. Whether captaining his shrimp boat or working on trawlers along the Gulf Coast, he found joy in shrimping, fishing, and experiencing the quiet beauty of the waterfront. A true jack-of-all-trades, he could fix nearly anything and was known as a skilled captain, navigator, and meticulous restorer of his boats. His lifelong passion for music began with childhood piano lessons, continued through saxophone performances in the Chattahoochee High School marching band, and grew as he taught himself guitar and later played keyboards in several rock bands, including Avogadro. After retiring, he rekindled that passion with renewed dedication, practicing two to three hours a day and performing with the bands Sarah-Nade and X4Y4, sharing the classic and Southern rock he loved. His musicianship became a cherished family legacy as well. Dwain’s saxophone playing inspired his grandson, Cole, to pick up the instrument and carry it forward in his own middle school marching band.
Dwain also had a deep love for animals, especially his dogs Baker, Roman, and Kailey, who have passed on, and Cutter, who survives him. His gentle nature and devotion made him a steadfast caretaker, and his pets brought him joy, companionship, and comfort throughout his life.
Above all, Dwain’s life was one of profound purpose, passion, love, and commitment to those he held dear. His influence and the values he lived and championed will continue to guide his family and all who knew him. Dwain’s memory will be treasured and his presence greatly missed, but the love he shared will forever be a part of the fabric of the lives he touched.
A service celebrating the life of Dwain will be held in the chapel of McAlpin Funeral Home in Sneads, Florida on Saturday, October 24, 2026, beginning at 1:00PM CENTRAL TIME. Visitation will begin one hour prior at 12:00 PM CENTRAL TIME.
8261 US-90, Sneads, FL 32460
10/24/2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm
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