Oklahoman Archives
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
July 13, 2015

In Memory of
Joe Epperley
July 29, 1924 - July 13, 2015

Joe Epperley (Papa Joe), 90, of Spencer, Oklahoma passed away at 10:56 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2015. He was born at home on July 29th, 1924 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Albert and Goldie Epperley. Joe was one of 10 children in his family. He wanted to join the Army, but did not have a birth certificate at the time to satisfy the requirements, so he had one made and certified by his mom so he could finally enlist. His original name was "Buster", but he preferred to be called Joe. Once his mother had a birth certificate made for him, from that point on he was officially called "Joe." He proudly served in the United States Army/ Oklahoma Army National Guard and eventually retired as a Command Sergeant Major after thirty years of service. During his service he was a member of the 45th Infantry Brigade. He was an active participant in various military operations conducted during WWII (at which a place of significance during his combat time was at the campaign on New Guinea); he fought in Korea; and fought in Vietnam. He was also a life member of the VFW Post 9969 in Del City, Oklahoma.
Joe Epperley was the kind of man who cared about and loved all of his family very much. He loved to joke around and make people laugh. He played a positive role in each and everyone's life through the encouraging and contagious effect he had on others, as well as through his good character and many approaches to problem solving. He was also a source of influence to many of his grandchildren who ended up joining the military as a result. It made him happy to know that he could make a difference in anyone's life. During his spare time, and later in his retirement, Joe was an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener. He had a breed of Britney Spaniels, who won many trophy awards, ribbons, and plaques. He was blessed with the awesome skill of cooking and loved doing it. He was always hospitable and loved to entertain others by cooking for them and would never let them leave on an empty stomach, if he had anything to say about it. He enjoyed going to swap-meets, refurbishing and selling antiques, doing all types of woodworking, and spending time with family. He was a dedicated and devoted member of Dickson Baptist Church of Spencer, Oklahoma. He dedicated his life to the Lord, his wife Mary, and his family.
When Joe became ill, his daughter, Renee Epperley; grandchildren, Richard Bork and Missie Bork-Bristow, were the primary individuals who made sure he was well taken care of, when others family members were located too far away geographically, and up until he passed away to be with his Lord and Savior. Papa Joe was surrounded and comforted by his family and friends who cared about him deeply at the time of his passing. He will always be remembered as a man who loved God, country and his family. Joe will be sorely missed by his family here on earth who loved him very much.
Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Epperley; daughter, Renee Epperley of Blanchard, Oklahoma; daughter, Sheryl Bork of Midwest City, Oklahoma; son, Walter Wood of Choctaw, Oklahoma; daughter, Suzanne Mayeux of Edmond, Oklahoma; son, Clifford Wood of Jacksonville, North Carolina; 23 grandchildren; many, many great and great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Lois Bartley of Wewoka, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Joe Rodney Epperley; granddaughter, Suzie Lucille Bork; and eight siblings. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 17th, 2015 at Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Arlington Memory Gardens in Midwest City, Oklahoma.