Dwayne Phillip Waters

Dwayne Phillip Waters - June 21, 1962 - April 17, 2026

Dwayne was born at the Ft. Yuma Indian Hospital to Phillip M. Waters and Andrea Thomas Waters. There are many stories to share about Dwayne and we are going to share just a few.

Dwayne became a Deputy for the Imperial County Sheriff's Department after attending and graduating from the Academy. He worked in that position for some years in the 1980's. He then moved on to the Cocopah Indian Tribal Police Department as a Deputy/lnvestigator on the Cocopah Indian Reservation. From there he moved and worked at the Sycuan Indian Tribe as a Police Officer.

He then moved to Washington State where he changed his profession and became a Tribal Gaming

Inspector at the Tutalip Casino on the Tulalip Reservation from 1995—1999. Onto the Red Wing Casino on the Nisquatly Indian Reservation from 1999-2006 where he worked as a Tribal Gaming Inspector and Deputy Director for their Tribal Gaming Office. After having enough of the rain and cloudy days, he and his family moved back to Yuma, Arizona where he was hired in 2010 as the Executive Director of TGA at the Quechan Casino and Resort (The "Q") until his retirement earlier this year.

His passion for music was welt known throughout the community. He could play just about any instrument given to him. He played guitar and sang in many local bands. He blew everyone away by playing Van Halen's "Eruption" (guitar solo) at the age of 15 at a chicken scratch dance. Wish you could have seen everyone's faces.

Dwayne is survived by his wife, Carmen Keenan Waters, father-Phillip M. Waters (Joyce), brother:

David (Delcie) sister: Dianna, children- John, Stephen, Hayden, Kayla and Wayne.

Eleven nieces and nephews: Kilik, Gourd, Kalika, Coliape, Darius, Wellasandra, Presley, Ares, Assail, RevSyn and Dexter. Many cousins and family friends.

He is proceeded in death by his mother: Andrea H. Waters, Dexter B. Waters, Susie Chaipos

(Grandmother) Cheral, Eileen, Suzanna (Aunts) Amick, Wayne, Harold Chaipos Jr, Patrick Waters Jr., and Floyd Waters (Uncles) Patrionna and Yephawna Waters and Owen Chaipos (cousins).

Honorary Pallbearers - Gordon Osborne, Norman Osborne, Virgil Smith, Alton Montague, Mitch Vest, Phillip M. Waters, David M. Waters and Jordan Joaquin.

Pallbearers - Wayne Chaipos Jr., Leo D. Alvarez, Angetito Alvarez, Wayne Keenan, Samuel and Andrew Luna, Kilik Waters and Gourd Smith-Waters.

Services will be held at Yuma Mortuary and Crematorium located at 775 S. 5th. Ave., Yuma, AZ beginning on April 27, 2026 at 2:00-3:00 pm. Family Viewing and 3:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m. Friends and Family. Traditional Services to begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Quechan Big House with cremation at 5:00

a.m. on April 28, 2026.

"Yeah, I love my baby, my heart and soul, love like ours won't ever grow old, she's my sweet little thing, she's my pride andjoy— Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pride and Joy.

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