Joe Willie Wathaw (Uncle Joe) was born on April 3, 1945 in Troup, Texas. He was the third child born to the late Maurice Wathaw and Wilder Forks Wathaw. He accepted Christ at an early age and his spiritual walk began at New Hope Conglee Baptist Church where he remained a lifetime member.

Joe attended Arp Industrial High School and graduated in 1963. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Houston, did a tour of duty in Alaska and served as a medical specialist until 1967. After completing his service in the Army, he received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Education degree from Texas College. He then studied microbiology at Brookhaven National Laboratories in New York City. Joe also worked as an orderly at Mother Frances Hospital (now Christus Mother Frances) and as a science teacher at Butler College and in the Tyler Independent School District.

Joe never married but he had three bonus daughters (children he helped raise and claimed as his own): Lisa, Theresa, and Ronda.

Joe had a magnetic personality and he was a character who always let you know exactly how he felt! Despite his circumstances, he never complained about anything but kept us all on our toes. He was a gentle giant but was always protective of those he loved. He was funny, loved good food, and was a true educator. You never entered his presence without learning something – be it English, Science, the systems in the body, French or the Bible. His caretakers were often amazed with his diversity and depth of knowledge. Joe loved God and the Word of God. He was a wonderfully blessed man with an amazing spirit for God. He professed the gospel wherever he went and he always had a song to lift you up and to offer praise. He was a very generous man and desired to give everybody something.

Late Monday night, August 10, 2020, God called Joe home to be with the Lord. Preceding him in death were his parents, his sisters – Nana Bertha and Alma Faye, a bonus daughter - Theresa, and a niece - Penny.

He leaves to cherish his memory: Sister - Maurine Spencer (Floyd) of San Antonio, Texas; Brother In-Law - Elroy McDaniel Sr. of Tyler, Texas; Nieces - Felicia (Lisa) Collins and Dr. Veronda (Ronda) Willis of Tyler, Texas, Afrika Ray and Makima Spencer of San Antonio, Texas; Nephew - Elroy McDaniel, Jr of Houston, TX; Great nieces and nephews - Tiffani Willis Harris (DelVoda), Theophilus Crawford III, Whitley Crawford, Kylesha Collins, Shelby Woolridge, Victoria Patterson, Sydney Woolridge, Spencer Ray, Caleb Prather, Savannah Ray, Aurora Crawford and Avery Harris and a host of other relatives and friends.