Woffard Johnston Joiner, Jr.

Woffard Johnston Joiner, Jr., 97, went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. 

He was born in Emanuel County on the family farm to Woffard Johnston Joiner, Sr. and Addie Belle Wilson where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, singing, and playing music with his family and friends.

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Core.  He assisted in the invasion of Normandy by patrolling the Mediterranean Sea with Pappy Boyden (of Baa Baa Black Sheep fame) to act as decoys.    He served In the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations with the Flying Tigers.  As an airplane mechanic,   he reconfigured the airplane pistons from Masonite to aluminum and discovered how to set the huge carburetors to fly over the Himalayan Mountains and enemy fire, saving hundreds of lives.

When he returned stateside, he met the love of his life, Tommie Lee, who he credits for helping him to become the man he was.  They married and moved to Chicago, where he attended the Chicago Institute for his engineering degree.  Upon returning to Savannah, he worked for Mingledoff.  He later moved to Brunswick, GA where he worked for Gray’s Heating and Air, then in civil service at the Glynco Naval Base.  When Brunswick’s High School’s technical school was created, he pioneered the heating and air classes. He also taught at Swainsboro Tech and Heart of Georgia Technical College. When his last daughter left for college, they moved to Swainsboro, GA to be next to their respective families and owned Joiner Heating and Air.  He bought a small farm in Norris Town Junction, and got to play with many different plants and animal life.  After his wife died, he moved to Metter, GA to be next to his daughter.He was a lifelong learner and loved to try to figure out how to make things run better.  He was one of the first people to graft multiple fruits on the same root stock.  He invented many various items that are in use today, such as the tiny solenoid switch that keeps things like ice cream cold and the water heater insert for the fireplaces. His ideas for solar energy are still being implemented today.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge # 717 in Brunswick, GA, and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.  He was an active member of the Good Earth Organic Gardening Club and was a member of the Metter United Methodist Church.  He never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went.

W. J. Joiner is survived by his two daughters; Gail (James Edward) Ward and Pat (Mike) Anastasia and four grandchildren; Michele, Alex, and Ashley Anastasia, and Jonathan (Windy) Ward and three great grandchildren: Melonie, Erin, and Calder Ward, who were his little sparkles.  His legacy continues on in nieces and nephews, students he has taught over the years, and many friends that were close to his heart.  Gary Cowart (Valerie) also adopted him and was a valuable friend for outings such as haircuts and eating.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 2, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Kennedy Funeral Home, Hooks Chapel, in Metter, GA.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Metter United Methodist Church in Metter, GA with Rev. Allen Colson officiating. Interment will follow at New Samaria (Joiner-Bunn) Cemetery at 3119 Cannoochee-Garfield Rd. in Emanuel County. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made, in care of Gail Ward, 28597 Ollifftown Rd., Metter, GA 30439 for the garden fund to continue his garden at the Azalea Nursing Home dedicated in his honor.  Guestbook:kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel is in charge of the arragements.

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