Joe Willard Duckworth, 86, of Hildebran, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024 at UNC Blue Ridge – Morganton following a period of declining health.
Joe was born March 12, 1937 to the late William Dewey Duckworth and Rose Branch Duckworth. He was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church and served honorably in the United States Army. Joe loved being in his garden, “tinkering” and “supervising” with his loved ones; and will be remembered as being an easy going person and would do what he could for anyone.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Brenda Calloway Duckworth; brothers, Frank Duckworth, Howard Duckworth, Robert “Bob” Duckworth, Millard Duckworth, Max Duckworth, and Paul Duckworth; and sisters, Ruby Harwell, and Gladys Harwell.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim Wilson and husband David; grandchildren, Charlie Wilson, Sara Wilson, and Brittney Monahan and fiancée Eric Goodson; brother, J. Herald Duckworth and wife Nancy; and twenty-six nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Oak Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.
Uncle Joe was a good uncle and a very good brother. He lived up the street from his sister (my mother) Ruby Harwell , and he and his wife were helpful as Mom’s health/mobility declined in the early 2000s. During the last year Mom lived at home Joe was the first contact on Mom’s Life Alert notification. Two or 3 times a week times a week Joe would be awakened in the wee hours to go help Mom , as she had gotten up for a bathroom break and then could not maneuver sufficiently to get herself back in bed. Joe got up from a sound sleep and hurried down the street to help Mom, and spending a few minutes to assure her that she was OK. All this without awakening my Dad who was asleep in another room and had severe hearing loss. Any time I thanked him he just said “glad to do it” . Gene Harwell
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing, he was very kind, and always loved to stop and talk out by the mailbox. He couldn’t get around very well, but had a golf cart to take care of that and would ride around our neighborhood. We will miss him and his kindness.