RAYMOND — Vernon G. Watters, 93, of Raymond, died on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a brief illness.

He was born in Old Town on July 21, 1920, the son of the late Byron Leon and Marie Genevieve (Richard) Watters. Vernon was a 1938 graduate of Howland High School, where he was a four-sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track. He furthered his education in the Civilian Conservation Corps, studying engineering.

In 1942, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 82nd Airborne from 1942 until 1958. He met his loving sweetheart of 67 years, Elizabeth (Richardson) Watters, in 1943, while stationed in England awaiting the “D-Day” invasion. He made three WWII combat jumps into Sicily, Italy and Normandy. In 1954, Vern served in the Korean War. In 1968–69, he was stationed in Vietnam. He also served in Germany, Italy, a variety of stateside assignments, and retired from active service in 1972, at the U.S. Military Academy.

During his distinguished 30-year career with the U.S. Army, he was a recipient of many medals including the Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars, three Army Commendations Medals, WWII Victory Medal, the French Forragere, the Belgium Forragere and the Master Parachutist Badge.

Following his honorable discharge from the military, he received his bachelor’s degree in business from Westbrook College, all the while working for the Portland Housing Authority, retiring in 1984.

Vernon was the recipient of a 2012 Six Who Care Award, for 25 years of volunteer service to Camp Sunshine in Casco. He was also a 30-year member of the Eagle Bassmasters.

Vern loved fishing, hunting, boating and being around his loving family at their home on Sebago Lake.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Wilfred “Will’ B. Watters of Windham, Genevieve May Abrams of Windham, Christine Mary Watters of Long Island, Ann Elizabeth Watters of Sarasota, Fla., Robert John Watters of Westbrook; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; his brother, Clinton (Ken) Watters of Oregon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Joan Francis Beach, in 1981.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Southern Maine Veteran’s Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale, on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Services by the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham. For online condolences, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to: Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Rd., Casco, ME 04015.