Joe Waddill, Jr.

Joe passed away October 29, 2019 in Tyler, TX.

Joe Waddill, Jr., was born August 18, 1928 in Grand Saline, Texas and spent most of his school years as a Grand Saline Indian. He enjoyed school (for the most part) and excelled as a high school football player. One day after his last football season, his coach sent him to the local Air Force recruiting office to stop a fellow teammate from joining up. Instead, once there, Joe decided he would join with him.

While in the Air Force, Joe served as a drill sergeant before shipping off to Okinawa, Japan with the Air Force Intelligence wing. He was stationed in Virginia upon rotating back to the States.

Joe loved music and while on leave back in Van Zandt County was looking for a record player to play a record he brought back from Japan. He instead found the love of his life, Mary Ellen Scott. On his next leave Joe and Mary Ellen went on dates for a solid week. The next leave, they were married. They knew each other for two months.

After spending one year in Virginia, Joe left the Air Force and he and Mary Ellen moved to Dallas, Texas, where they found a garage apartment and jobs. Joe began college at Southern Methodist University, using his GI Benefits. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in secondary education and landed a job teaching senior English at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. He fell in love with teaching.

During his decade at SOC, Joe and Mary Ellen added Susan and John to the family and Joe earned a master’s degree in education administration from the University of North Texas. After earning his Masters degree he was assigned an assistant principal at Bryan Adams High School in Dallas for two years before moving to Clara Oliver Elementary School as Principal. After 16 years at Oliver, he finished his career at Richard Lagow Elementary. Joe excelled at running a good school and was recognized by both the school district and community for his leadership.

When Joe retired he had time to focus on his new love, being a Granddad. He substitute taught for several years while he and Mary Ellen purchased land and built their current home back in his beloved Van Zandt County. Joe volunteered at the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Library in Canton, serving in various capacities, including President and First Monday Parking Lot attendant for the Society. He also enjoyed working with the Old School group in Grand Saline, who renovated an old building from their high school days on the current GSHS campus as a GSHS museum and community center.

Joe was a longtime member of Sunny Glen Baptist Church in Dallas, serving as Sunday School teacher and a Deacon, once he retired. He continued to serve as a Deacon in the two churches he and Mary Ellen attended in Van Zandt County and continued to teach Sunday School. They were involved in the Celebrate Recovery ministry, at Faith Baptist Church in Chandler, which was very meaningful to them.

He is survived by his Wife, Mary Ellen Waddill; Daughter, Susan & Rick McDowell; Son, John & Jean Waddill; Granddaughter, Katy & Charles Smith; Grandson, Jake & Jessie Page; Granddaughter, Jordan McDowell; Granddaughter, Becca & Logan Presnall; Granddaughter, Sarah Waddill; Granddaughter, Leah Waddill; and Great-Grandchildren: Parker, Hudson, Jolie and Addi.

Joe is preceded in death by his Grandparents, John & Annie Loyd; and Sister, Linda Thomas.

Interment will be at Haven of Memories in Canton, TX.

Family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to C.R. Ministry at Faith Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.