Rock Hill, SC – Joseph “Joe” Wilbur Costner, Sr., age 89, of York, South Carolina departed a life he loved dearly on March 26, 2023, at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House after a brief illness. He was surrounded by Helen, his cherished wife of 60 years, and his children as he entered into the life promised and prepared for him.
Joe was born December 4, 1933, to Lois Rebecca and Kenneth Wilbur Costner in Double Shoals, North Carolina. He grew up in Lawndale, North Carolina and graduated from Piedmont High School. Joe served his country and its people for more than 70 years. He joined the army as soon as he was old enough and served for 26 years, and he achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4, specializing in Army Intelligence before retiring. His time in the army started with the Korean War and, later, he completed two tours in Vietnam. Along the way, he was awarded numerous medals of honor including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star. After his military service, he joined the Defense Investigating Service and served for 17 years, retiring as the regional director in Roanoke, Virginia. After retiring for the second time, his desire to serve led to him volunteering for 27 years with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Rock Hill, SC.
Many referred to Joe as their hero. Most certainly, he was the family hero that everyone admired and looked up to. A life such as Joe’s cannot be captured in a list of activities and accomplishments, no matter how numerous. Mostly, Joe loved his family; his wife Helen, his children, grandchildren, great grandchild, surviving sister and nieces and nephews. He spoke often about his family that had gone before him and had a special place in his heart for his grandmother with whom he spent much time with as a child.
Joe was friendly and outgoing but had a calm, quiet, stoic demeanor, and those who knew him, knew he meant every word he said. Often, those words were words of encouragement. He made you feel special. He made you feel like you could accomplish anything to which you set your mind.
He never complained, instead finding the positive in everyday life and taking joy in the simple things. Sitting outside in the sun, watching the boats go by from his dock on Lake Wylie, having family and friends over for a lake party, tending his garden, and observing the birds and hummingbirds at his feeders (even the unwelcomed squirrels and occasional raccoon); these were just some of the ordinary phenomena of his life. He constantly flew an American flag high outside his home to honor the country he loved and served.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents; by four of his beloved sisters, Frances Costner Closner, Patsy Costner Norman, Nancy (Burt) Costner Earndhardt and Linda Costner Shytle and by his nephew, Tony Ray Earnhardt.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Helen; his son, Joe Costner Jr. (Dr. Brenda Halsey) of Rock Hill, SC; his daughters, Bebbie Baker (Michael) of High Point, NC, Barbie Kolatis (Michael) of Fort Mill, SC; his sister, Carolyn Lewkowicz Costner of Beech Island, SC; his five grandchildren, Eric Baker, Alex Costner (Jordan), Blake Costner, Belle Kolatis and Parker Kolatis; his great grandson, Kielan Costner, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
The family invites all who wish to come and share a Joe story or picture to Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, South Carolina, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. A full military honors ceremony will be held at Salisbury National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 29732.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net