Brian D. Waters

Brian Daniel Waters was born in Montgomery, Alabama on September 14, 1965. He died Wednesday, January 28 at Columbus Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held 3:00PM, Monday, February 2, 2026, in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907. The family will receive friends at 1:30pm, Monday, February 2, 2026 at the funeral home. A procession to Parkhill Cemetery will follow services.

Brian moved to Opelika, Alabama in 1970 where he finished high school attended Auburn University while working at a local radio station. He enjoyed installing radios and speakers in cars and playing music of all genres. Brian taught an audio communication class at Auburn University.

He moved to St. Simons Island in the late 1980s where he managed more than one radio station. Later he did the same in Jacksonville, Florida until the time he came back to Columbus, Georgia.

Brian served as a dedicated board member and president of PAWS Humane for almost a decade. He created the Barks and Blues Concert Series, their annual fundraiser that is still enjoyed every spring along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. He served as a board member for Midtown Columbus Incorporated for four years.

 Brian’s voice can be heard internationally in promotions for clients such as DC Comics Show, Washington Golf Show, the Virginia Lottery, the Washington Capitols, Bojangles, Denny’s, Chevrolet, Jeep/Ram, Dodge, Volkswagen, the Price is Right stage, and others.

He served as Advisory Board Member to Auburn University Student Communication Board, advising their student run radio station in 2008 and 2009.

Brian was Operations Manager for Clear Channel Radio from September 1994 until January 2009. As head of programming for Columbus, Albany, and Newnan, Georgia. This includes stations WVRK-FM, WGSY-FM, WAGH-FM, WBFA-FM, WSTH-FM, WDAK-AM,WPNX-AM, WSHE-AM, FM, WOBB-FM, WJYZ-AM, WGEX-FM, WMGP-FM, WCOH-AM, and WVCC-AM. 

At PMB Broadcasting, Brian was Program Director, Music Director, and Morning Show Host at 103-7 Lite FM and Classic Rock 105-5 from November 2009 until December 2018. 

He spent over thirty-five years in the radio business, including Rock, CHR, Country, Urban, AC, Spanish, News Talk, and Gospel. Brian’s leadership in the industry is distinguished by a history of superior ratings, team building, and mentoring.

His love for music was evident in every project he undertook. His dedication to excellence inspired generations of radio programmers and personalities. He recognized exceptional talent in music artistry and was instrumental in many musicians’ breakthroughs in the Nineties. His programming at Rock 103 influenced major markets such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville. He was a born storyteller and held many an audience captive with incredible stories about Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Eddie Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and others.

Brian emceed events throughout the Chattahoochee Valley, including Steeplechase, Midtown Mingle, Phenix City Amphitheater, and others. He was a passionate historic preservationist and took great joy in maintaining and preserving his beautiful 1920’s home and gardens.

In 2019, after a storied radio career, Brian became an Advertising Account Executive with OnMedia. Even though he had no prior experience in sales, he quickly became On Media’s top sales producer and remained so for the entirety of his time there.

Brian was a man of his word. He loved his pets, Benji, Minwe, and Franklin. He valued friendship and honor above all else. His generous spirit was a comfort to all who knew him. We are extraordinarily grateful for the beautiful, unforgettable time we spent with him. He is beloved and his absence will cause us great sadness. But the memory of his joyful countenance and generous, overflowing spirit will remain with us always.

The family wishes to give very special thanks to his caregivers, Patty Chappel and Bruce Ellerbee for their dedication and care during his illness.

Brian is survived by his mother, Carol Guyton, (Dr. Robert Guyton), brother Shon Waters, (Melissa), nephew Tillman Waters, (Blakely).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to PAWS Humane or Columbus Hospice.