Joseph A Willes, Jr.

Joseph A. Willes, Jr. was born to Joseph A. Willes and Lillian Darlene Gordon, on April 5, 1931 in Pocatello, Idaho. He was the 5th of 6 children. His siblings were VerLayne, Myreta, Gordon, Joe Ann and Darlene. His older sister Myreta died at the age of 19 when Joe was only 10 years old. Joe grew up in a small house on Cottage Ave. and attended school in Pocatello, graduating from Pocatello High school in 1949. While in high school he met Isabella (Isobel) Yearsley. Joe and Isobel were married in June of 1951.

Shortly after being married, Joe was drafted into the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict. After completing basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington, Joe was stationed in Camp Roberts, California, where Isobel joined him, and their oldest son Paul was born. Even though he was a bandsman in the Base band at Camp Roberts, when he arrived in Korea he was assigned as a member of the Military Police Unit. He later served as the Company clerk.

After his discharge from the military, Joe returned to Pocatello where he continued his studies at Idaho State College graduating in 1955. Joe continued his education at BYU and completed his Masters’ Degree in 1962.

His first teaching job after graduation was teaching band at Filer High school for three years. During this time Joe and Isobel welcomed their 2nd son David to the family. After 3 years at Filer, the family made a move to Arimo where Joe taught band at Marsh Valley High School for 5 years. During these years he also taught elementary band at Inkom, Lava, McCammon and Downey. After 5 years at Marsh Valley the family made its last move, and that was to Pocatello.

Joe taught band for 1 year at Alameda Jr. High School before moving to Highland High School, where he remained until 1978. After leaving Highland he moved to the School District education center where he was the Supervisor of Music until his retirement. During Joe’s 1st year at Highland, daughter Melissa was born.

In addition to his teaching duties Joe was an active member of his church, serving as a Bishop, a member of the Stake Presidency, High Councilman, Executive Secretary and the choir director for his Ward, Stake and Region as well as any other position he was assigned to.

Joe was a member of the Pocatello Municipal Band for over 70 years. He was director of the band for 50 years and this is the first year since the early 1950’s that he isn’t a member of the band. He was instrumental in the musical theater and fund-raising efforts around Pocatello for many years, and organized many pit orchestras for musicals and fund-raisers and dances over the decades.

Joe is survived by children: Paul (Kathy), David (Jana) and Melissa (Thadius) as well as 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and sister Darlene. He is preceded in death by his wife Isabella, his mother and father and 4 siblings.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.  at Wilks Funeral Home.  A viewing will be held the evening prior, on July 15, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home, as well as one hour prior to the services on Saturday.

The family would like to thank Joe’s medical providers at the VA, Dr. Kjos at Health West and the Staff at Solace Hospice for their care.

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