Austin Hayes Waters

  Austin Hayes Waters, 30, fondly known to his family as “Bubba”, passed away on January 28, 2025, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, KS.

  Austin was born December 19, 1994, in Manhattan, KS to parents Jim Waters and Shanel Cole Lichtenhan. He graduated from Wamego High School in 2013 and from Kansas State University in 2018 with a degree in Kinesiology. He began an internship with Farm Bureau Financial Services in Manhattan while attending college in 2018 and began working full time as a Claims Service Rep in 2019.

  Austin appreciated the simple joys in life and often found comfort outdoors at the lake with friends and family or in the mountains snowboarding. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football, and rooted for the KSU Wildcats and the Kansas City Chiefs.

  Austin loved being with friends and family. His private nature kept his circle small but tight-knit. In 2020 Austin met Blair Campbell and she quickly became a significant part of his life and a beloved member of his entire family.

  The family’s fondness for golf could be seen in the many rounds Austin played with his brother, Parker, and buddies at the Wamego Country Club. He also enjoyed a good poker game with friends where laughter and friendly competition mingled. Austin also enjoyed bowling and was part of a team that plays in the Thursday night 9-pin league in Wamego.

  Austin departed this world too soon. His family and friends will miss him, who now must learn how to continue living without him. He is survived by his parents, Jim Waters (Michelle) and Shanel Cole (Mike); brother Parker Waters and step brothers Jason Cole (Leticia) and Ryan Cole (Jessica); his loving significant other, Blair Campbell; grandparents, Suzanne Lichtenhan, Kathy Bracken (Louis), Jim Waters Sr., Tom Winter (Debra), Mary Whitesell and Deb Yocum; great-grandfather, Larry Bridgewater; Austin’s faithful companion, lab-heeler mix Theo; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends that will forever keep his memory close to their hearts.

  Austin was preceded in death by his grandfather Jerry Lichtenhan and his great-grandmother Ruth Bridgewater. 

  A Mass of Christian Service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Wamego, with Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt as the officiant. A private family burial will follow the service.

  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations for a memorial that will be determined at a later date. Please make checks payable to the “Austin Waters Memorial Fund,” and those may be sent to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.