Joseph Gillespie

Joseph W. Gillespie, 84, of Little Rock, died April 26, 2012. He was born January 8, 1928 in Camden, Arkansas where he was raised and attended school. He received his B.S. in Engineering at the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity.
In 1950, Joe married Estelle Packard of Conway. His work with several companies in engineering and corporate management involved moving his family many times, including Birmingham, Alabama, San Antonio, Texas, El Dorado, Arkansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Muscatine, Iowa, St. Louis, Missouri and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The family enjoyed the moves but home #1 was always in Arkansas and the opportunity to come home to stay came in 1986 with a company buyout.
He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board. He was a member of and served as President of the Pleasant Valley Country Club, the Oasis Board, Our House Board, West Little Rock Rotary and the Arkansas Academy of Mechanical Engineering. Joe loved hunting, fishing and golf. He volunteered with many charities and at St. James. He and Estelle loved to travel to visit their children and grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents, Charles H. and Nell McAnulty Gillespie and sister, Juanita Biggers, he is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Estelle; children, Wayne Gillespie and wife, Pat of Collinsville, Illinois, Lee Gillespie Keith and husband, Alex of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ken Gillespie and wife, Loraine of Rogers; brother, John Gillespie of Kansas City, Kansas; sister, Charlie Gray Wilson of Hope; seven grandchildren, Jen Simmons, Chelle Gillespie, Katie Koetting, Nell Pounder, Anna Keith, Christy Gillespie and Mike Gillespie; four great-grandchildren, Adelle and Wyatt Simmons, Alaina Koetting, and Leah Pounder; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Monday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m., officiated by Rev. Siegfried Johnson, followed by inurnment in St. James' Columbarium. Memorials may be made to St. James UMC or to one's favorite charity.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Mr. Gillespie's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.