Joe Airsman

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - Joe R. Airsman, 82, of Hilton Head, S.C., and formerly of Roodhouse, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Hilton Head, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born June 30, 1941, in Roodhouse, the son of Theodore Teryl and Evelyn Field Petri Airsman. 

Joe is survived by his daughter, Antonine (Kevin) Mulkern, and grandchildren Ivy Maureen and Teddy Jack, all of Chicago; two sisters, Jackie (Jack) Conlee of St. Charles, Mo., and Carol Kelley of Jacksonville; one brother, Terry (Mary Beth) Airsman of Jacksonville, and several nieces and nephews. 

Joe grew up in Roodhouse and graduated from Roodhouse High School in 1959, where he was a member of that year's undefeated football team. After graduation, Joe was drafted into the United States Army and served with the 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Black Knights in the IA Drang Valley Airmobile Division.  On Labor Day 1965, Joe was featured on the CBS News with Walter Cronkite being interviewed by John Laurence about his experience in Vietnam. He helped write a portion of the book which later became a motion picture, "We Were Soldiers Once … And Young," based off his experiences in the Valley in November 1965.  Joe was awarded an Expert Rifle Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his service. 

Following his discharge, Joe attended college in California, where he played football under coach John Madden. He later graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1970 and went on to earn his master's degree in 1974. In 1971, Joe became a history teacher at Bement High School, where he worked for the next 23 years. He also served as the football coach and assistant boys basketball coach and middle-school boys' basketball and track coach.

He married Maureen McHale on June 3, 1978, and welcomed their daughter Antonine in 1981. Joe retired from teaching and coaching and moved to Hilton Head Island, where he could be found with a football in hand walking the beach. 

Joe loved all things "sports", including University of Illinois football and basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He loved nice clothes, a good plate of spaghetti, and considered himself an excellent judge of character. He excelled as a middle-distance runner and enjoyed golfing. He was an excellent storyteller, historian, and singer, and was often the life of the party. He would leave laughing those he crossed paths with and will be greatly missed by everyone.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse. The family will meet friends from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Roodhouse.

Memorials are suggested to the Smile Train. 

Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.