Willis Joe Robertson

Willis Joe Robertson (Joe) died on February 10, 2013 at St. Catherine's Village. Visitation will be held on Tuesday Feb 12, 4-6 pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home of Jackson, Ms. on High Street. Services will be held on Wednesday Feb 13 at First Freewill Baptist Church in Vernon, Alabama at 2:30 pm with visitation from 1:30 -2:30 P.M. Burial will be at Lamar Memory Gardens, (Cemetery). Chandler Funeral home will be charge of services.

Joe Robertson was born on March 24, 1930 in Vernon Alabama. He was the only child of the late Willis Earl and Jessie Turner Robertson.

Mr. Robertson graduated from Vernon High School in 1948, attended Copiah Lincoln Junior College until 1950, then attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship, where he played half back and was a member of the "M" Club. Joe received his B.S. degrees in 1952, and his M.S. in Sociology in 1954.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nell W. Robertson. He is also survived by his five children, Dr. Angela Robertson, Vicky Rohr, Laurie Suess, Joe E. Robertson, Nancy Cliburn, and two son-in-laws, Kim Rohr, and Perry Cliburn. In addition, he has seven grandchildren, Katie Rohr Fletcher (Paul), William Rohr, Jennifer Suess, Jessica Suess, Craig Cliburn, Rachel Cliburn, and Caroline Cliburn.

Mr. Robertson spent his entire professional career with the YMCA starting in Jackson, MS in 1954. In 1958, he transferred to Birmingham, Alabama and in 1961 he moved to Houston, Texas. He returned to Jackson in 1970 to take on the CEO position for the Jackson Metropolitan YMCA. A position he held until he retired in 1986. He was a member of the Exchange Club of Jackson, Ms. for over 40 years serving as president, program chairman, and on the board of directors. He was a member of the YMCA Heritage Club, served on the Board of Trustees for the Metro YMCA, Blue Ridge YMCA Board of directors, Crosswinds Flying Club, Whisper Lake Golf Club, and Gerald Panos and Associates board of directors, and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Jackson MS.

His motto, "Life is an adventure", was lived to the fullest. He was a private pilot, scuba diver and writer. His love of travel carried him all over the U.S. and abroad. The Robertson family wishes to thank all the wonderful staff at St. Catherine's for their excellent, kind, and compassionate care!

Memorials may be made to: W. Joe Robertson Endowment Fund, 84 Blue Ridge Circle,Black Mountain, N.C. 28711or YMCA Fitness Center, 800 E. River Place,Jackson, Ms. 39202