Joseph Andrew Holifield III

HOLIFIELD Joseph Andrew Holifield, III - 75, a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, died peacefully at home on March 27, 2012, surrounded by family and friends after a twenty-one month battle with brain cancer. He graduated from Murphy High School in 1955, then received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1959, (Auburn University) where he was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army with the Nike Hercules and La Cross Missile Program at Redstone Arsenal and in Korea. Joe was a respected Professional Electrical Design Engineer who spent most of his fifty-two year career designing water and wastewater treatment plants in Alabama and Florida, and was licensed in nineteen states. He also designed electrical systems for Ingalls Shipbuilding, Atlantic Marine, NAS Whiting Field, Alabama State Docks and the unloading facility in Theodore. His most rewarding technical project was the Myers Water Plant. The design included a complete package of power, lighting, instrumentation and control. Operational production achievement gained plant national recognition and several innovation awards. Having a deep love for the arts and Mobile history, the wiring renovation for the Saenger Theater was the job dearest to his heart. His civic projects included electrical design for several local schools, stage and seating area lighting for Mobile Civic Center and sound systems for Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Joe began his career at J.B. Converse (BCM). After twenty-eight years of service, he retired only to begin a new career at Clark, Geer and Latham. After ten years there, he became Chief Electrical Engineer for Thompson Engineering, retiring in 2011. A book signing reception was held at Thompson to celebrate the publishing of his book "Mobile's Water - More Than Just H2O" which he dedicated to the workers at MAWSS. Joe was a devoted husband and Dad. He was an active member of Spring Hill Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and participated in the television ministry. Joe was an avid fisherman who belonged to the Master's Bass Club. An active member of the CBMC, he was also a supporter of many civic, benevolent, political and religious organizations. Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marian Farnell Holifield; daughter, Laura Holifield; sons, Joseph A. Holifield, IV and his wife, Lisa and John M. Holifield; his sister, Alice Holifield Walker and her husband, Dr. Russell Walker; sister-in-law, Janet Farnell Stubblefield and her husband, William G. Stubblefield; grand-daughters, Samantha Gilman, Alyssa Gilman and Kristen Gilman; grandsons, Tate and Rhys Holifield; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ina Lewis Holifield and Joe Holifield. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and love to Katie Untereiner, Urana Williams and all the family and friends who have been so lovingly supportive. We will mourn his death but celebrate his life. Funeral services will be held from Spring Hill Baptist Church on Friday, March 30, 2012, at 12 Noon. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour at the church. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joe Holifield Engineering Scholarship Fund at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2 South McGregor Ave., Mobile, AL 36608. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneral home-mobile.com. Arrangements by: