Joe Willy you were a great neighbor and friend I will always remember some things about you.
Godspeed

Vickers Family: We are profoundly saddened by the loss of your beloved brother Joe.  We met Joe a few times in Arizona at Thanksgiving.  And while we didn't know Joe well, we appreciate being able to participate in his memorial service from a distance. It was a lovely service.  Our deepest condolences to you all.  Keith and Lynn Sucha, Bennington, NE.

Joe was my uncle. He was a very kind-hearted man. He always brought warmth to wherever he went. 
As a kid, he shared his love of hunting with me. Going on hunting trips with him stands out in memories from my childhood.
I’m glad my son was able to meet him and experience his joy also. He was always so kind to everyone he met.  I’ll dearly miss him.

To Uncle Joe, a man who I felt in my bones, was one of the kindest, sweetest people I’ve ever known. You were a warm embrace on a cold night. Every memory I have about you has an aura of a sunset around it because that’s just the warmth you gave off. I can’t say one bad thing about you because there just isn’t anything bad to say. You were such a kindhearted soul who had no pretense of being anything but a good man. My fondest memory of you is from my wedding day when I married your nephew, Shane. You shared with us how you promised yourself you wouldn’t cry, but as you were congratulating us after the ceremony you teared up. It was such a genuine display of love and support for us, that it had me choking up too. I’m so glad we had you in our corner for so many years and it was felt tenfold when we brought home our son earlier this year. I was looking forward to our son growing up and going on hunting trips with you, but now he’ll have to settle with glamping trips with his not-so-roughing-it parents. My only regret is not having a picture of you and Roy together. I feel your warmth in his smile and his giggle on a daily basis and I want you to know we love and miss you!

Your loving niece-in-law, Kristen Purkiss.

For my Uncle Joe,

I suppose that I had put off writing this because how I knew it would make me tear up. But I needed to put my thoughts and feelings for you down here. 

Rather than focusing on one memory of you that I have, my reminiscence of you has been focused more so on who you were as a person. You have always had one of the biggest and purest hearts that I have known.  You loved everybody, and everybody loved you.  No one felt like a stranger around you, because you genuinely cared how others were doing and made them feel welcomed.  You’d offer the shirt off of your back to help someone else, and your shoes as well if the shirt wasn’t enough. 

I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience with you, whether that be from childhood camping or shooting trips, in my teen years, or as an adult at family gatherings.  One thing I am extremely grateful for is that my son got to meet you, and you got to meet him.  I only wish he had more time with you to get to know his Uncle Joe better.  

I love and miss you so much Uncle Joe!

Your loving nephew,
Shane Purkiss

Dear Joe,

You were a part of what held my mom’s family and my family together. You were the person who saw and understood my little brother Ethan and cousin Jaden when they were young. You and I are different, but you have always been kind and made others feel important and loved, that made me feel close to you. I am sorry that you did not get to live a fuller life, it feels unfair that it was cut short as you were just hitting a new and special stride. You seemed more curious and expansive in your relationship to life and others, more at home with yourself. 

I remember our conversation in my parents’ backyard on guns, churches, and gender. What an instance of life, some hippie niece and some hunter uncle contemplating social constructs together. You showed me the appreciation and validity in my perspective and were open to thinking about things differently. You were good at making people feel that way, appreciated and valued. Your actions and respect had the same mind-expanding impact on me and I (was) a vegetarian. 

You were my mom’s little brother. I cry for her and know she loves you very much and wishes you were here. She believes and is glad you are safe and in peace. This world and the people you met have been imprinted with kindness because of you and that makes it better for having had you in it. I am sorry, you belonged here now, and it is heartbreaking you are no longer here with us. I love you and can’t wait to see you again. 

With Warmth,
Your Niece

What I wouldn't give to go back 40 years for one last hunt with both Ray and Joe. I learned most of what I know about hunting from these men and I am forever grateful. Rest in peace little brother.

Joe Joe doing what he loved.. Being outdoors! Fishing, Hunting, or just Camping... He loved it!!!  It was always a good trip if Joe Joe was going - EVERYONE loved him around.

My sincere condolences to The Vickers family and siblings. Tish and Sarah so sorry for the loss of your brother Joe. He was a good friend to all of us kid’s growing up in the neighborhood.

Joe was one of the kindest people I've ever known. He always made me laugh, had a smile on his face and had the greatest stories from his most recent adventures. Thank you for all your help.  You will be missed.

It was a pleasure working and meeting you Joe you will always be in our hearts. Thank you for the laughs and found memories.

Joe Joe always knew how to have an amazing meal while out and about… This was up in the Eastern Sierras, Obsidian Flat group campground!  I will miss him_!!!!

OBITUARY

William Joseph Vickers

September 10, 1963 – September 30, 2023

Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary

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