Obituary of William Joiner

William (Bill) Joiner passed away peacefully in his home after a short illness, having been fortunate enough to live a full life virtually free of health concerns, in harmony with his family and the many others in his life who loved and admired him. Bill had a kind, generous and principled nature; he was quick to praise and slow to anger. Bill was born in 1921 and raised on a farm in western Pennsylvania, with his 7 younger siblings. After high school graduation he helped operate the family farm, until World War II erupted. Bill joined the Army, and was sent in 1943 on the Queen Mary to England, where he served in the 8th Air Force, 94th Bomb Group in Bury-St. Edmunds. He returned home 28 months later, again on the Queen Mary, but now with a love for England and the English people that never left him. Bill enrolled at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. There, on his first day on campus, he met the love of his life; a young girl from Santa Cruz named Betty (Mary Elizabeth) Young. Bill and Betty were married in Santa Cruz in 1949, not far from the chicken hatchery on Branciforte Drive that was Betty's childhood home. The next few years were filled with work and schooling. Bill and Betty first moved to Chicago, where Bill attended seminary for a year, then to southern California where he attended Redlands University. He finally settled on teaching as a career, so the two moved to San Francisco in 1952 where Bill began attending San Francisco State on a part-time basis, while supporting his young but growing family by pumping gas at Johnny's Shell Station (near SFO), while Betty worked as a civilian secretary for the Navy. The family of five moved to San Bruno for 6 years while Bill continued his schooling, receiving his teaching credential in 1960. Hired by Santa Cruz City Schools to teach fifth grade at Branciforte Elementary School, Bill moved his family to the Seacliff Beach area of Aptos. It was a real stretch to buy the $11,000 house on Pine Street, but Bill and Betty, both working full-time, figured they could make the mortgage payments and still have some money for summer vacations, church tithes, clearance sale clothes for the kids, and all the things that made for a humble but happy home for the young family. With Bill teaching school and Betty working as a school librarian, the family could go on long camping vacations each summer, and the kids learned much about US History and Geography during those summers. In 1969 the family moved to the Vienna Woods neighborhood, above Cabrillo College. At around this same time, Bill left Branciforte Elementary and began teaching 4th-5th grades at DeLaVeaga Elementary, where he was much respected and admired until his retirement in 1986. Over the many years of his retirement, Bill continued to have former students recognize him in public (he never looked much different) and tell him what an impact his teaching and his gracious, warm manner had on their lives. He was a father figure to many. Bill loved music, and for many years sang in the choir at University Baptist Church, as well as other community groups. His love of art and calligraphy enhanced his teaching years. In retirement he enjoyed watercolor painting and became very involved in wood carving, making delightful Father Christmas figures and animal figures for friends and relatives. Bill and Betty became quite involved in church life at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley, where Bill regularly taught a Bible Study class. Bill and Betty enjoyed traveling in their retirement, including two trips to England where Bill could relive old memories around Bury-St. Edmunds. Bill is survived by three children, David Joiner (Debra) of Ft. Worth, TX, Mark Joiner (Roberta) of Santa Cruz, and Rebecca Prouty (Warren) of Fresno. He is also survived by grandchildren Nathan and Hailey and six brothers and sisters, Dorothy Myers of Fort Mill, SC, Carl Joiner of North Cambria, PA, Beatrice Wilson of Avon, OH, Lynn Joiner of North Cambria, PA, Eleanor Emerick of McMurray, PA and Lucille Kuzemchak of Indiana, PA. He was preceded in death by his brother, Fred, and by his wife of 64 years, Betty. Many thanks go to his caregiver of over four years, Steve Fleming, for whom he expressed his gratitude daily. A memorial service for Bill will be held on October 3rd at 2:00 at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley. Bill was a spiritual man and an avid reader of theological books; donations may be made in Bill's honor to the St. Philip's Church Library Fund, at 5271 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066.