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Obituaries
Joe Paynter Bussey, Jr.
Joe Paynter Bussey, Jr., 77, passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023. He was a native of Chesapeake and a resident of Yorktown, VA for thirty-five years.
Joe was a civil engineer for the U.S. Army for twenty-four years and retired as a Lt. Colonel. After retirement, he became a middle school math teacher for the Newport News Public Schools and retired after eighteen years.
Joe graduated from Columbia College in Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in history, a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Missouri
University of Science and Technology, and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University in Missouri.
During his service with the U.S. Army, Joe received the U.S. Army Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and other awards. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Yorktown and a member of the “God and Grits” Men’s Bible Group.
Preceding Joe in death were his parents, Joe Painter Bussey and Eva Oliver Bussey. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Nancy Wilcox; daughter, Kirstin Bussey Brendel (Jim); son, Joe Paynter Bussey III (Jennifer); four grandchildren, Madelyn Brendel, Landon Bussey, Hayden Bussey, and Abigayle Bussey; and one brother, Bruce Oliver Bussey.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home with a reception following at the funeral home from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
12 Comments
I will always remember Joey, when my parents and I gathered at his parents’ home. His love for the Ford Mustang stands out in my mind. Years have passed, and my regrets, that I have not kept near, but may the Good Lord keep him close. My love and prayers to Nancy and family.
Nancy please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you gather to celebrate Joe’s amazing life!
Mr. Joe was an awsome man. I was one of the nurses caring for him. I grew very fond of him and so enjoyed talking with him ❤️. This news truly hurts my heart. Warm thoughts and prayers sent to the Bussey family. I will cherish our talks and dinners out. Thanks Mr Joe for touching my life, you are indeed a special person and will hold a special spot in my heart. Godspeed my friend.
Unfortunately I have not had any contact with Joe since our graduation from Great Bridge High School in 1964, but I will always remember what a terrific friend he was during those years in school. Rest in peace my friend. To the family, my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this difficult time of morning. God bless you all.
I will miss him – an always sweet and very caring person and very funny rest in peace
Joe was a neighbor and a good friend since the 1950’s. We went to middle and high school together. I will always remember how proud he was of the little red MG he bought during high school. I lost touch with him while he was in the military but a good friendship last forever. I did manage to catch up with him recently at the funeral service for his mom. He had to tell me about his wife and children. He seemed so very happy. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Joey was a great role model for an aspiring future Great Bridge student-athlete.
When you get to the high school level you realize just how difficult it would be to truly follow in his footsteps. I say that with complete and total respect!!
Thanks Joey for being the special person that you were.
I first met Joey in the 5th grade at Norfolk Highlands Elementary School. We were then together in most classes through-out grades 6-12, graduating with the Great Bridge class of 1964. He was just about the nicest guy in our class. He could be funny too but was mostly serious concentrating on first academics and second athletics. I saw him only a handful of times after graduation but kept up with through other class members. I know he had a stellar military career, and with his wife raised two awesome children. Mike Head said it well, to follow in Josy’s footsteps would be a difficult task because he did it so well. I know he will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family
Joey was one of my dad’s (Joe Bauer) best and oldest friends. I always enjoyed visiting VA and hearing all his stories! When we visited VA, Joey was always one of our first stops to see the mustangs or parrots. He was such a GREAT person, and we’ll miss him so very much. I loved how my they would talk for hours and never run out of stuff to talk about. They were so lucky to have this friendship that spanned a whole lifetime and has been long distance since they were 18 years old.
I’m just learning of this news today. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Bussey and the rest of the family. Thank you for trusting Reliance Home Comfort with all of your HVAC needs for many years. Mrs. Bussey, I will continue to make sure your home is comfortable temperature wise for as long as you need me. Rest well Mr. Joe.
Warmly,
Derick Valentine
CEO Reliance Home Comfort
I was saddened to learn of Joe’s passing today. I will not only remember him as Lieutenant Bussey, my executive officer at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, but also as a close friend. He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I was so honored that he invited me to his wedding after I left the army. Joe reached out to me a few years ago, and we corresponded by email several times a year. I will miss those special messages. My condolences to Nancy and his family.
Joe Bussey was a solid citizen and a warm and loving human being. He pulled me out of a deep depression in 1968 when we were in AIT in Ft. McClellan 50 plus years ago by being supportive and helping me rebuild my diminished confidence. I will never forget his talking about the MG he was putting a larger engine into. We lost touch went he went to OCS (Officer Candidate School) and became an “honor guard” in Washington and I shipped of to Chu Lai, RVN late in 1968. In a very short period of time he made a huge positive impact on my life which I will never forget. No doubt he is resting in peace. John Russell