Joe Whis Dye 1953-2010

Joe Whis Dye went home to be with his Lord February 10, 2010, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 57 years.

Joe was born February 10, 1953 in Springfield, Missouri, to the union of the late Roy Lee and Shirley Kathryn (Zehr) Dye. Joe graduated from Waynesville High School in 1971. He spent his entire life in Waynesville, other than attending SMSU in Springfield, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1976.

On March 26, 1988, Joe was united in marriage with the love of his life, Judy Kaye Null. In their 21 years together, Joe and Judy were blessed to raise two wonderful children, Tony and Amy. Their family grew to include Tony’s wife, Arthena, and Amy’s husband, Lonnie, and finally, the joy of Joe’s life, the grandchildren, Tesla, William, Lucas, Kaylin, Madelyn, Weslee Whis and Joloni.

Joe worked for Shelter Insurance in Waynesville for 33 years with his father, Roy Lee, and continued working there with his son, Tony and daughter, Amy until his death. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, farming and spending time with special friends.

Joe was active in the community holding membership in the Waynesville Masonic Lodge #375, AF & AM, York Rite, Scottish Rite-Valley of Joplin, F.O.R.R./Local 28 member and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield. Joe was a very active member of the Pulaski County/Ft. Leonard Wood Shrine Club of which he was also a past Rajah, and served as the Hospital Chairman for many years. He was also a long time member of Deerlick Baptist Church.

Joe was very dearly loved, and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife: Judy; one son: Tony Lee Dye and wife, Arthena, and their children, Madlyn and Weslee Whis one daughter: Amy Krantz and husband, Lonnie, and their children, Tesla, William, Lucas, Kaylin and Joloni, all of Waynesville, Missouri; aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by three unborn sisters.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 15, 2010 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Rev. Danny Graves and Rev. Gary Humphrey officiating. Joe’s longtime friend, Forrest Maxey, shared his wonderful memories of Joe. Arthena Dye and Tesla Krantz sang “Amazing Grace” with Pianist Georgia Primus accompanying them. The songs “Peace In the Valley”, “I Can Only Imagine” and “Crying For You” were played. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “What a Day That Will Be”. Serving as escorts were Don Cullison, Gary Dye, Sammy Crawford, John Whelan, Forrest Maxey, BJ Benton, Jeff Begins, Jackie Fenton, Bucky Anderson, Joe David Null and Gerald Jones.

Burial followed in the Deerlick Cemetery of Waynesville. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joe Dye to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children and may be left at the Funeral Home.