James W. Watters Sr.

James W. Watters Sr., 94, of Leesburg, FL, passed away on January 17, 2015 at Cornerstone Hospice in Tavares, FL. He was born at the family farm formerly known as "Maple Mere" in Fallston, MD. He was the last of nine generations of Maryland farmers in the Watters family, which began farming when Maryland was an English colony. His ancestors first moved to what is now Harford County in 1750 and continued farming until he sold the dairy farm in 1968. The farm was located where the present Bellvale Road housing development is located. In the early 1920's, his father, grandfather and grandmother, Walter and Lillie Agatha Watters started the dairy business on their farm. They shipped milk at a time when dairy farming was a labor intensive occupation. During the harsh winter snows of the 1930's, Jim had to help shovel a mile-long path on Pleasantville Road to deliver their milk out to Lancaster's Corner to be picked up by a large milk truck. In 1952 Jim took over the dairy business for his father and increased the size of their dairy herd into the 1960's.

He was the son of the late Walter Archer Watters and Julia Ella Rockey-Watters and husband of the late Pearl L. Watters and Norma H. Watters. He was a member of the Bel Air Moose Lodge #1952. He was an avid horseman and thoroughly enjoyed fox hunting in many areas around Harford County, in addition to participating with the Maryland Hunt Club events.

He is survived by his daughters: Beverly Ann Tall and Miriam Lois Payne, both of Leesburg, FL and son James W. Watters Jr. of San Mateo, CA; brother: Lawrence E. Watters of Fallston; eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by brother: Walter A. Watters Jr.; sisters: Marian Lillie Watters -Seay and Muriel Isabelle Watters-Thatcher.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Kovacs, Scott Keister, Daniel Keister, Richard Tall, William Thatcher and Lawrence Watters.