Paul James Joseph, age 91 years, a resident of Elkins, WV, was taken by the Lord to his Kingdom on Tuesday August 17, 2010. He died peacefully at home in the presence of his family after an extended illness.
Paul was born in Shinnston WV on Monday, October 28, 1918, the son of Salem Joseph and Labiby Shaheen Budran Joseph. After graduating from Shinnston High School and the WV Business College, Paul started his professional career working as bookkeeper for the U.S. Dept of Agriculture’s C.C.C. camps and later for the Elkins Builders Supply Company. Soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country earnestly in World War II. He earned six battle stars, seeing intense action at the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, and Leyte Gulf. In 1945 he returned to Elkins and served as President of the Elkins Builders Supply for more than fifty years. He was involved in several coal ventures working for various local and regional coal operators. He served as the Chairman of Citizens Financial Corp, and was Director Emeritus of Citizens National Bank, serving as Director for more than forty years. He was quite active in the Elkins community, serving on the original Elkins Development Authority, and worked to help establish the Elkins Public Library. Paul was instrumental in efforts to bring mental health to the region through the establishment of the Appalachian Mental Health Center. He worked to bring various industrial businesses to Elkins promoting job growth and development. He was a former President of Elkins Kiwanis Club and was awarded the Outstanding Businessman of Elkins in 1973. He was a member of St Brendan Catholic Church.
Paul was a kind hearted, caring man and generously helped local youth groups and charitable causes. If there was someone in need, Paul was always there for them. Many of his works went unheralded as he always chose to keep private his accomplishments and generosity.
Paul was the last remaining member of his immediate family. He was a devoted husband and father recently celebrating 62 years of marriage to his loving wife Wilda Lee Gum Joseph who survives. They had married on March 28, 1948. Also surviving is his daughter Sharon J. Joseph, of Elkins, Patricia C. Joseph of Durham, NC, his son Mark P. Joseph of Elkins and companion Carla D. Hess of Belington; and his daughter Marian E. Joseph of Elkins. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Philip and Edward Joseph and three sisters, Rose Mary Smith, Nellie Murphy and Helen Victoria Joseph. Also preceding him were his dear friends Ross and Clara Leader.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Friday. The casket will remain closed. On Saturday morning, August 21, 2010, Mr. Joseph will be moved to the Saint Brendan Catholic Church where the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. The Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, VF will be the preside and interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens on the Airport Road where the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion and the Tygart’s Valley Post # 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct full military rites. The family requests that sympathy be expressed in the form of donations to the Hospice Care Corporation, 169 Diamond Street of Elkins, WV who gracefully provided comfort to Paul in his final days or to the Elkins Public Library, 416 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
