Joe Willis Messer

Joe Willis Messer, 82, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024, in Jacksonville, FL, with members of his family surrounding him. Joe was born to Charlie H. and Vealer (Mixon) Messer on August 15, 1941, in Holmes County, FL. He was the youngest and last surviving of six children.

Joe lettered in basketball and football at Bay High in Panama City, and earned a football scholarship to the University of Florida. Legend has it that he served a stint poaching alligators in the Florida swamplands before entering a life-long career in power generation. Joe started out as a mechanic and worked his way up to District Manager of Sales and Service for Worthington and later General Electric. He loved the opportunity to travel throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, making friends and business partners wherever he went.

After moving to Gainesville, FL in 1980, Joe left the corporate world and started his own business, operating machine shops in Gainesville and later in Ocala. His wife Janet joined him in the business in 1998, and together they brokered power generation equipment to customers around the world, from the Virgin Islands to the Middle East to South America. Beyond his professional achievements, Joe was known for his big heart, love for his family and country living, a regular workout routine, and witty Joeisms. He did not know a stranger.

Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janet Zengel Messer, their son Joby Messer (Colleen), and grandsons Brandon, Alex, and Micah. He is also survived by his daughter from a previous marriage, Sherrie Keating (Shane), and grandchildren Seth and Emilye. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Raymond, Opal, Frank, Charlie Edward, and Nancy.

Joe’s family will host a Celebration of Life on March 16, 2024, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/.