Joseph Jessup

WESTFIELD — Mr. Joseph William "Joe Bill" Jessup, age 85, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. He was born to Joel A. and Lillie Pell Jessup. He is survived by Ruth Hill Jessup, his wife of 63 years. Joe Bill served in the US Navy on the USS Tucson and the USS Helena from 1948 – 1952. He was awarded the Korean Service medal and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. As an avid automobile enthusiast, he spent most of his professional career in the automotive industry. His greatest passion was doing the Lord's work. He was a member of Westfield Baptist Church for 63 years. He served in many leadership and support roles, including Board of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, prayer ministry and outreach. He was a member of and lay speaker for Gideons International. He served on the Board of Directors for the Dale and Gilda Riddle Evangelistic Association, Inc., until his death. Along with his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Olivia Jessup Shaw and Jeannette Jessup King of Wilmington, NC and son-in-law, Jeff King. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Midkiff, her husband Thurmond E. Midkiff, and a sister-in-law, Frances S. Jessup. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, James Thomas "J.T." Jessup and Basil E. Jessup. He will be honored by many loving nieces, nephews and great-nephews and nieces who will escort him to his burial. Funeral Services will be held at Westfield Baptist Church, Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Westfield Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday in the church fellowship hall from 1 p.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at the Riddle Evangelistic Association, PO Box 1399, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041, www.riddleevangelistic.com. Howell-Nelson Funeral Service of Pilot Mountain is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.howellfuneralservices.com.