Joe George

William Joseph George died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family one year after the death of his wife of 47 years, Mary Margaret George. Joe was born in Houston on March 1, 1946. He was raised by his parents and his brothers, who were 10 and 13 years older than him. He loved to recount the story of his arrival - nine months after the victory over Japan. "My parents were in their forties and we won the war," he would say, "what could possibly go wrong? Well... up jumped the devil!" Joe graduated from Lamar High School and the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a Sigma Chi, majored in Economics and - most importantly - courted Mary Margaret. He recalled meeting her as love at first sight and as he put it, "that was it for me." Joe began his career as a banker with City National Bank. He later joined Consolidated Insurance Agency and then Insurica. Many of the relationships with his clients and colleagues endured over more than 40 years. Joe loved his work, and he continued working until the month before his death. With his wife, Joe raised two daughters of whom he was immensely proud. He taught them through hard work, integrity, and humor. "This is your world," he would say, "I'm just living in it." Joe had many friends he cared for deeply. He was president of the Rotary Club and the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and a founder of the Austin Rodeo. He served on the Board of the Sigma Chi House Corporation, Planned Parenthood of Austin, and the Austin chapter of the Boy Scouts. He was a longtime member of the Young Men's Business League, the Admiral's Club, and Westwood Country Club and a devoted member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Joe is survived by his daughters, Dr. Margaret George Miller, a physician at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and Tabatha George Marts, an attorney with Fisher Phillips in New Orleans; Maggie's husband Darris Miller and their children Mary and Clifford; and Tabby's husband Charlie Marts and their children Hattie and Jack. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Margaret, his brothers Tommy and RL George, Jr and his parents, Ringling Leo George and Anna Louise George. Joe's daughters would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to his incredible care team, including Raquel Orellana and the nurses and staff from Hospice Austin and RN Case Management who took loving care of Joe and laughed at his jokes, which wasn't hard to do. The service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Thursday, April 19 at 4:00 pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe's name to Hospice Austin, Helping Hand Home, or The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.