Dr. Hinton Waters, Sr., was born July 20, 1890, in Pike County near Brundidge. He was the son of William Jefferson and Lilla P. Flowers Waters. Hinton graduated from Brundidge High School and enrolled in the University of Alabama. During this time, he decided to study medicine and enrolled next year in the University of Alabama Medical School in Mobile, Alabama.
After receiving his medical degree in 1913, Dr. Waters set up practice in Falco, Alabama, at that time a pioneer lumbering town. On March 30, 1915, Hinton married Mary Lucille Hamby, and they became the parents of five children — Hinton Wright, Jr., M.D., Montgomery; William Leon, Sr., Pensacola; Robert Carl Crestview; Frances Waters Tindell, Dothan; and Fred Parker Waters, Shalimar, Florida.
During those early years in Falco, Dr. Waters traveled by horse and buggy to visit patients over roads that often were no more than wagon nuts. In 1925 Dr. Waters moved his family to Opp. During those years leasing to and during the “Depression” the doctor was often paid in eggs, potatoes, or cane syrup. Throughout his career Dr. Walters was well known for his acts of charity to families experiencing financial hardship.
Dr. Waters had a record of delivering around 5,000 babies during his years of medical practice. Many of these deliveries were home deliveries, requiring miles of travel. In the early years of his practice, it has been said that “Dr. and Mrs. Waters” literally practiced medicine together. Mrs. Waters assisted in clerical and nursing chores, and sometimes deliveries. Frequently, there were two or three patients miles apart, and she was dispatched to the one least likely to deliver. Realizing the extent to which Mary Hamby Waters shared her husband’s life, it is well to recognize them both for their contributions to this community.
From the time he came to Opp, Dr. Waters worked toward building a hospital in Opp. It was not economically feasible until the passage of the Hill-Burton Act in 1946. Opp received the very first of these federal grants, and Dr. Waters was very closely involved. He chaired the committee to select the site and was instrumental in acquiring the land from the Thomas estate. He then was chosen as the first Chairman of the Medical Staff.
Dr. Waters served as Deacon in the First Baptist Church of Opp for many years, he was a 60-year Mason, and an active Rotarian. Dr. Waters was a member of the Covington County, the State of Alabama and the American Medical Associations. He served as censor for the State Association and later was made a lifetime censor.
In addition to his large medical practice, Dr. Waters maintained a large pecan acreage in Falco. He established a pecan nursery and became such an authority on pecans that the Auburn Extension Service consulted him concerning pecan diseases. He encouraged farmers in this area to become interested in pecans. Many of the pecan orchards in this area are a direct result of his interest and influence. Pecans have become a major part of the economic health of this area.
Always aware of the need to continue the search for new and better methods in medicine, Dr. Waters took time each year to study in his field. He had one of the most complete and up-to-date medical libraries in this area.
Dr. Waters’ special interest in young people led him to spend many hours listening to their problems, advising and encouraging them. He helped some financially by providing books and tuition.
In 1960, Dr. Waters felt that he could best serve his patients by retiring. Because of his health, he felt that he could not give them the best, and he would have nothing less. After retirement he joined with several of his retired friends to form the “Rocking Chair Club”. However, most of his energies were spent on his first love, the farm, as he and “Miss Mary” grew cows and pecans. On July 30, 1975, Dr. Waters died in his sleep at his home in Opp, the town he dearly loved. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
