ROCKLAND — Elwood “Woody” Waters of Rockland died on October 1, 2025 at PenBay Medical Center as a result of a fall a few days earlier. He was 94 years old.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 25, 1931, he was the son of Lyle B. Waters and Olga (Monson) Waters. He was educated in West Allis, WI and a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, earning a degree in Physical Education.

His early career included teaching and coaching positions in Northern Wisconsin and in the suburbs of Chicago. He later started a career with ServiceMaster in Downers Grove, Illinois that allowed him to travel the country expanding ServiceMaster’s franchise business. On June 17, 1972, he married Nancy Tyson and they quickly bought a ServiceMaster franchise in Binghamton, New York. Woody fell in love with the coast of Maine during a visit to one of Nancy’s childhood friends who had just bought a cottage in Owls Head.

Woody and Nancy achieved their goal of moving to Maine in 1988 when they sold their business in Binghamton. Part of the payment included a ServiceMaster franchise in Rockland, which they owned and operated for many years. When they started to think of retirement, they started W & N Cleaning and stayed active in this business well into their 80’s.

Woody was a very active member of Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockport, where he served as a deacon for some time. He enjoyed golf, watching auto racing and other sports, especially the Red Sox and Green Bay Packers, reading, and watching the events of the day from their front porch or backyard deck. He was always ready with a story or joke making a positive and lasting impression with the people he met. He and Nancy developed strong friendships in the Binghamton, New York area and Midcoast Maine that lasted throughout his life.

He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 53 years; his sons Eric (Clair) of Spruce Head and Stuart, Florida; Paul (Doreen) of Lakewood, Colorado; and Jeff Derrick (Nora) of Deale, Maryland; his sister Barbara Snyder of New Berlin, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Woody’s family would like to thank the physician practices and services at PenBay Medical Center for the excellent care they provided during his many years in the area. This care was exceptional at the hospital during his final days there.

Family and friends are invited to visit Friday, October, 17, from 2 to 3 p.m., at Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 188 Rockland Street (Rt. 17), Rockport. A service and reception will immediately follow at this location. For those unable to attend the service in person, a livestream will be available on Woody’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Woody’s memory to Trekkers, 325 Old County Rd, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.