- Date Of Birth: October 14, 1925
- Date Of Death: March 9, 2021
- State: Iowa
World War II Veteran, Joe William Warford, 95, of Des Moines passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021.
Born October 14, 1925, in Quincy, IL he enlisted in the Army in October 1943. He served on the European front of World War II through 1946 as an ammunition bearer in the 89th Chemical Mortar Battalion. Following the war, he attended Quincy College and met the love of his life, Mary Lou. The two danced their way through 61 wonderful years of marriage. He held a long career in savings and loans before becoming the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee for the southern district of Iowa until his retirement in 1992. Later in life, Joe continued his service as a member of the American Legion Post #42 in Ankeny, IA.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, parents Albert and Ruby Warford, and four siblings Albert, Norman, Louise, and Mildred. He is survived by sons Albert, Jeff (Maureen “Mo”), Bart (Peggy), and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When asked on his 95th birthday to reflect on his greatest joys in life he recounted the love of his wife, the births of his three sons, and the arrivals of his grandchildren at the top of his list.
Joe was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a golfer with a smooth and easy swing, and a beloved family historian. He delighted his family with tales of his past, when it came to bedtime stories with his grandkids the Lone Ranger was always a favorite. Joe began a charity in honor of his late brother, Albert Corbin Warford Jr., a decorated WWII pilot killed in action. The 2nd Lt. Albert C. Warford, Jr. Fund benefits the Quincy Family YMCA, providing memberships for underprivileged youth in the community. Joe and his brothers spent much of their childhood during and after the great depression swimming and playing basketball at the Y.
