Obituary for Joseph Franklin “Joe” Hale
Joseph Franklin “Joe” Hale, 83, of Max Meadows died Sunday, June 6, 2021 in Pulaski, Va. He was born on Aug. 9, 1937 on the Draper Farm in the Black Hollow community near Dublin. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Reed Hale and Elizabeth Draper Hale, and by his sister, Lucy Kent Hale Danner.
He is survived by his wife Patsy Cline Hale of Max Meadows; a daughter Jody Hale Minnich and Sherwood Minnich of Floyd, Va.; two sons, William Franklin “Billy” Hale and Janette Bissbee of Claremont Beach, Va., and Timothy Patrick “Tim” Hale and Cherie Yost of Fairlawn Va.; a step-daughter, Robin Leibal and David Leibal; and a step-son Paul Hamby.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Lori Gwen Howard of Copper Hill, Va, Tori Elizabeth Hale, Dublin, Va., Jacob Hale and Gregory Hale of Williamsburg,Va.; great-grandchildren, Adam Myers, Haley Walters, Emily Hale, Alex Hale, Kayleigh Kohlor, Brittan Lawson and step-grand-children Nakoma Hamby and Robby Jones.
Also surviving are a nephew, Fred Danner of Christiansburg, Va. and a niece, Sandra Danner Crowder of Pulaski, Va.
Joe was a man of vision, dreams with a desire to serve the people of Southwest Virginia and beyond. The APEX Center at Fort Chiswell is one dream he worked tirelessly to see built and enjoyed by his community and the public library at Fort Chiswell, named the Joe Hale Public Library in his honor. He worked hard to see this project to completion while dealing with a terminal illness. A life-long Democrat he served as a member of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors for eight years. His interests ranged from family, local, regional and National history to farming, wildlife conservation, national and international issues. He was active in the Max Meadows Ruritan Club and anything to do with Dublin High School and his Dublin Dukes. He also volunteered with projects to develop public venues in Max Meadows, Va. and projects to raise the quality of life for all people in his community.
Joe was the founder of the IIBEC – RCI Foundation, (The International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants), past president and fellow of RCI, co-owner and founder of HDH associates PC and HDH Technical.
Visitation and a funeral service will be held from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM Thursday, June 10 at the APEX Center at Fort Chiswell. The family chose this site to ensure social distancing in this age of COVID-19.
Interment will be at the Hale Family Cemetery on Cove Mountain, Millers Creek Rd, Max Meadows, Va.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Fort Chiswell Friends of the Joe Hale Public Library. The is a Go Fund Me account on Facebook.
Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, VA.
June 9, 2021 @ 1:41 pm
Like countless others Joe was my mentor. I had the honor of working for and learning from Joe for 25 years. Words can’t express my sincere sadness at his passing and my supreme joy of calling him a dear friend. Joe, I love you, bud.
June 13, 2021 @ 8:07 am
Joe was a man of vision for Wythe County. He worked diligently to complete many long term projects to make this County a better place for everyone. His recall of history in this area and beyond was nothing short of amazing. Prayers and sincere condolences to his entire family, he was one of a kind .