Joe Fonville

Joe Arthur Fonville, of Temple, died Friday, March 27, 2015. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2015 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive. Visitation with the family will be 1 hour prior, beginning at 1 p.m.

Joe was born on December 20, 1938, in Gorman, Texas to Samuel Joseph “Jay” and Katherine Rebecca “Katie” Fonville. He married his loving wife, Wanda Fay Pannell, on February 10, 1961. He was a resident of Temple, TX. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1957.
Joe served in the US Army from 1957 to 1962. He spent his career working for electrical power companies. He worked twenty years with Community Public Service (Texas-New Mexico Power) and later retired from Johnson County Electric in Granbury, TX.
One of Joe’s greatest joys in life began in 1982, with the birth of his first grandchild. It was then that he became known to all as “Papa Joe”. He and Grannie Wanda took special pride in all of their grandchildren, and would do everything in their power to make as many of their special events as possible.
Joe is preceded in death by his older sister, Katherine Jolene Fonville; sister, Shirley Savage; his oldest daughter, Catherine Marie Bailey; and his sweet wife of 52 years, Wanda.
He is survived by his sisters, Sue Peacock and Joy Brown; daughters, Sandra Broadus, Tammy Johnson and Karen Miller; son, Joseph Fonville; eleven grandchildren, Cari, Stephanie, Zachary, Lindsey, Cati, Nathan, Joshua, Alyson, Jessica, Mallory and Jace; and thirteen great grandchildren, Cade, Kaylee, Mackenzie, Caden, Jaxen, Zoe, Zayli, Chrisily, Baylee, Jorin, Mackenzie, Braden and Paxton.
The family would like to thank the staff at Senior Care of Marlandwood West in Temple, TX, for their never-ending patience and compassion during his stay. We certainly know he could be cantankerous! The entire staff embraced Papa Joe and Grannie Wanda in the most amazing ways over the last four years; and for that the family will be forever grateful.
We would also like to thank the members of Avenue T church of Christ for transporting Papa and Grannie to worship each week; it meant so much to them to be able to continue in their faith after moving to Temple. A special thank you also goes to Gentiva Hospice.