Growing up, Steve loved playing baseball, basketball and football, particularly baseball, which he excelled in at all levels, including Junior Legion State Tournament twice, high school, local amateur and college ball. He has been an avid baseball fan starting with the New York Yankees as a youth, then the Minnesota Twins when they moved to Minnesota in 1960, and was a die-hard Houston Astro fan.

Upon graduating from Mankato State college in 1966, Steve began his Naval career at the Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida and after being commissioned as an Ensign, he went on to complete his primary flight training in the Pensacola area. He then completed advanced flight training and received his “Wings of Gold” at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart Connie Seifert in 1964 and they shared most of his years in the Navy moving from coast to coast.

During his Naval career, Steve flew the P-3 Orion submarine hunter in patrolling and tracking submarines in waters off the east and west coast; Bermuda; Azores; Iceland; Norway; Adak, AK; and Hawaii. He was stationed in Patuxent River, MD; Pensacola, FL; Alameda, CA; Mountain View, CA; Washington D.C.; and Corpus Christi, TX.

In 1986, Steve moved to Corpus Christi to serve his final six years in the Navy as Comptroller at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi. He met Penny Peterson at the Naval Base and they were married in 1987. Steve retired at the rank of a Navy Commander in 1992, after 26 years of active duty service.

Following retirement from the Navy, Steve’s initial employment was with the Nueces County Auditor’s Office. Nueces County Judge Richard Borchard then hired him for eight years, as his Executive Assistant followed by four years under County Judge Terry Shamsie; and his last 12 years under County Judge Lloyd Neal as Director of Commissioners Curt Administration. He retired in 2018 after 26 years with the County. During his employment with the County, Steve played a major role in the development and execution of the County’s annual operating budget. He also was very active in working with department heads in managing the day-to-day operations. Steve was very proud of the role he played in the planning, financings, and construction of capital improvement projects including: Aviator Baseball Stadium, Fairgrounds Complex, Veterans Cemetery, Airport Terminal, and the Outlets Mall.

Steve was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and had an unfailing faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was extremely involved at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, serving as an Elder for many years and as Treasurer for over 30 years.

Steve is survived by his daughters: Lori Stacy and Susan King both of Corpus Christi, and Rhonda (Jimmy) Hernandez of Goliad, TX; son Derrick (Bernie) Waterman of Corpus Christi; He is also survived by best friend, high school sweetheart, and former wife Connie Anderson of Corpus Christi; siblings: William (Mavis) Waterman of Corpus Christi, Jean (Leon) Hellickson of Albert Lea, MN; sister-in-law Linda Waterman of Maple Grove, MN; brother-in-law Huey Dertil of Swinney Switch; grandchildren: Jessica (Will) Johnston; Stephanie (Ethan) Anderson, Summer King, Julianne Stacy, Mileena Waterman, Preston Hernandez; great-grandchildren: Hallie and William Johnston.

His wife Penny Lea Waterman, his parents, and his brother John Waterman all precede Steve in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made in Steve’s memory to Camp Lone Star at either www.LOMT.com or by mail to PO Box 457, La Grange, Texas 78945.

A visitation for Steven will be held Monday, December 6, 2021 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Everhart, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX. Funeral service Tuesday, December 7, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 5101 Saratoga Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78413 followed by Burial at 2 p.m. at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH-37, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com for the Waterman family.

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