Joseph Whitmell Pierce died peacefully in his Poquoson home on the evening of July 11, 2021. He was born April 25, 1927, the only child of William Isaac Pierce and Myrtle Dillard Bynum Pierce Dawson of Bertie County, NC.  His formative years were spent in North Carolina in the Windsor area until he became a resident of the Virginia Peninsula in 1951. He was known as "Joe", "JW", "Red", "Whit", and as a developer and builder of quality homes in Poquoson, York County, and Williamsburg. His best advice to his workers was to take their time and do things right, and that way they would not have to do them over again.

Joe was a Baptist, for many years attending Memorial Baptist Church, and subsequently Emmaus Baptist Church. Pertaining to recreation, he was a dedicated family provider who spent most of his time working and growing his timber. When he was able to enjoy some leisure time at last, he enjoyed his worldwide cruises and his time on the dance floor shaking both his legs and spinning his partner around. Those who knew him will remember he was an avid hunter of whitetail deer and wild turkey, and a worthy adversary when it came to billiards, poker, or rook! Those fine times will be sorely missed, but we wish his spirit a swift flight to the Lord's House, and to his dear Mother's side.

Left to be proud of having him in their lives are his wife of 70 years, Neva Benbridge Pierce; daughter, Anita Pierce Brown; son, Jerry W. Pierce and daughter-law Elizabeth Pierce; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, Va 23666. A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 19 at 11 a.m. at Edgewood Cemetery in Windsor, NC, 27983. Friends are encouraged to visit parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Local arrangements are provided by Walker Funeral Home of Windsor