It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph Earl Whaley Sr. announce his passing on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at the age of 84.
Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Judith; his parents Earnest and Fannie, his step father Eugene; his siblings Katie Bell, Burnice, Wilton, Johnnie, William, Henry, Rosa, Isaac and infant grandson, Jonathan.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Joseph E. Whaley, Jr. (Joe) and wife, Susan, and his son, Mark and wife, Kathleen; his brothers, Jerry and Harrold and wife, Connie; grandchildren, Alan and, wife Brie, Crystal and husband, Andrew, Alexandria and significant other, Jesse, Jennifer, Joshua and wife, Audrey, Joseph and his significant other, Meg, Jacob and wife, Zoe, and Yoshua; great grandchildren, Ariel, Canon, Issac, Ethan, Gabe, Avery, Nadia, Joseph, Isabella, Elizabeth, Sophie, Aiden and Aubrey along with numerous other family members and friends.
Joe was born in Kenansville, NC in 1937 and raised in NC by his mother, Fannie and stepfather, Eugene. He enlisted in the army at the age of 17 and retired after 20 years of honorable service at the rank of Sergeant First Class. He married Judy in 1960 after meeting in Alexandria, VA. He amassed several tours of duty and duty stations in the US and abroad including Germany, France (where his two sons were born), Vietnam, and Okinawa. During this time, he was an active Shriner serving in the local communities. He earned many military awards including a Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal 1st-5th Award, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Jump Wings, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm for brave and exemplary service.
Joe would go on to travelling cross country many times as a long haul 18-wheel truck driver for several years. He always loved seeing the dessert and particularly Arizona where he travelled numerous times on several different trips both solo and with loved ones. He again served his community as part of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for close to 10 years before fully retiring and moving to the beaches of NC for several years where he enjoyed many sunsets on the intercoastal water way. He returned closer to his hometown living in Clinton, NC during his retirement years before returning to Fayetteville. A fond memory many of us share is meeting with Joe for morning breakfast at one of his usual spots. Joe touched the hearts of many across these various paths and will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends for the memorial viewing on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home from 10 to 12 Pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home at 11 Am on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 500 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301. Burial immediately following the service at Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery at 2881 Gillespie St. Fayetteville, NC 28306.
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