Joseph Walter Burdell Jr.

Mr. Burdell was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ida Wilson Burdell; son Michael Joseph Burdell; brothers John Charles Burdell, Sr., Donald Emmett Burdell and a sister, Hilda Ann Malter. He is survived by a brother, Lawrence Kneezel of Bloomington, IL; 2 sisters, Rachel Pemelia Martin of Lake Mills, WI, Naomi Virginia Sallee of Crestwood, KY and 9 children -- Cheryl Burkett of Macclesfield, NC, Brenda Noland of Alberta, Canada, Jessie Hall of Elm City, NC, Jonathan Burdell of Scottsdale, AZ, Alice Davis of Lillington, NC, Joel Burdell of Clovis, NM, Pamela Burdell of Baltimore, MD, Janice Doughman of Riverton,NJ, and Penelope Burdell of West Memphis, AR; 20 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

After Joe graduated valedictorian from his high school, he worked as a bank teller until enlisting in the Army. He was a WWII veteran who helped with the D-Day deception as part of the 1st US Army Unit. He later went to officer training school and became a 2nd Lt. Infantry Commander shortly before being honorably discharged.

Joe used the GI Bill to attend Cornell University, where he met and married Ida Wilson. He graduated Cornell U. in the Top Ten of the class of 1949.

He then began his career as a Civil Engineer for the U.S. Dept. of Commerce -- later called the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. He worked in the Federal Highway Administration for 34 yrs.

Upon retirement, Joe enjoyed volunteer work. He drove for the Red Cross, worked at the Raleigh Community Hospital earning Volunteer of the Year, and later cashiered at the Dorcas Thrift Shop.

Joe was a life-time Deacon and Elder of the Presbyterian Church. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer and "new-building" planner at various times and locations. Most recently, he was a member at Kirk of Kildare in Cary, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Glenaire Retirement Community. Rev. Jody Welker of the Kirk will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.