Gcity Resident & Past Wildwood Catholic Teacher Inducted into WC Hall of Fame
Friday, June 20, 2025
CORRECTED/UPDATED
Congratulations to Bill Waters, who was recently inducted into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame. Standing beside him is Bud Shodder. Waters, a resident of Gloucester City, dedicated 41 years to teaching English at the school, inspiring countless students along the way. Shodder, is a former faculty member at Gloucester High School, and a past resident of Gloucester City. Both men are graduates of Gloucester Catholic High School.
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WILDWOOD, NJ (JUNE 20, 2025)(CNBNews)--Longtime Gloucester City resident Bill Waters, a passionate educator who devoted 41 years of his life to shaping young minds as an English teacher at Wildwood Catholic High School, has recently been honored with an induction into the Wildwood Catholic High School Hall of Fame. A proud graduate of Gloucester Catholic's Class of 1966, Bill's influence has left an indelible mark on both his students and the Wildwood Catholic community.
His high school classmate, Bud Shodder, took to Facebook to celebrate this remarkable achievement, sharing a heartfelt message along with Bill's inspiring biography, which is featured in the Hall of Fame program booklet.
"Congratulations to our dear friend and classmate, 'Bwana' Bill Waters, on his well-deserved induction into the Wildwood Catholic High School Hall of Fame on June 6th!" said Bud, who was in attendance along with Bill Ryan. Ryan was also a high school classmate of Waters. The event was held at Wildwood's 22nd Street Pier, a perfect backdrop for such a significant occasion. To their delight, they also encountered another familiar face from their past—Drew Nolan, a fellow alumnus of Gloucester Catholic High School!
(left to right) Bill Ryan, Bill Waters, Bud Shodder, and Drew Nolan. (photo provided)
Below is Bill's biography as it appeared in the Hall of Fame program booklet…
William Waters EducatorWilliam Waters had a profound influence on his students over his 41 years of teaching at Wildwood Catholic High School. Bill’s journey started at St. Mary’s Grammar School and Gloucester Catholic High School, in Gloucester City, NJ.Bill went on to earn an A.B. in English from Rutgers University and an M.A. in English from the University of Missouri, achieving the Dean’s List both in college and graduate school. In addition, Bill received the Bishop Galante Holy Family Medal for 40 years of service in Catholic education.In the classroom, Mr. Waters demanded the best from his students, whether teaching American Literature, Honors British Literature, Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, or Journalism.As English Department chair, Bill helped to revise the policy on the teaching of term papers/research papers. He also created a “Writing Across the Curriculum” program and presented it at a faculty in-service day. He totally revised the AP English course of study, and instituted an in-class, 8-day tutorial on special preparations and skills for success on the national AP English Language and Composition Exam. The above measures brought about a steady increase in student AP English scores, placing them well above both local and national norms.Bill was also involved in many extra-curricular activities, such as baseball, yearbook and the school newspaper. It was in the coaching of forensics, however, that Bill made his most lasting mark. From 2004 to 2012, his teams dominated the diocesan forensics league to such an extent that esteemed Wildwood Catholic teacher administrator Frank Smith wrote in a press release that Waters was “the Coach K of forensics.” From 1986 to 2012, virtually every year he had several team performers who qualified to compete in the Grande National Catholic Forensic Tournament held each Memorial Day Weekend at various cities across the nation.Bill’s service is far from over as he remains an active member of the St. Mary’s parish chapter of the Knights of Columbus, raising funds for schools like St. John of God that work with students with intellectual challenges and creating lunch programs for the needy.Recently, Bill founded a WCA scholarship in the name of his former colleague and mentor, Sister St. Gervase. To this day, if two or more graduates meet up and the conversation turns to their years at Wildwood Catholic, Bill’s name will most certainly become part of the conversation.We are thrilled to induct William Waters into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame, where his legacy will continue. Bill, welcome to the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame!