Joe C Wise Jr. known as Joe to many, and to a few, he was affectionately called "Peanut" since early childhood went to sleep peacefully and woke in the arms of Jesus and other loved ones passing before him that included family his parents Joe Sr and Callie "Betty", Willis D Howard, siblings including Julia, Bill, Don, and Gary, many friends, and countless others on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Joe leaves behind his wife of 55 years. Regina Wilson, two sons Justin and Brad and his wife Jenny DeMaine and their daughter Evelynne "Evie" and countless ambassadors of the International Student Exchange program.
Joe, his parents (Joe Sr. and Callie), with siblings (Don and Gary) embarked on a journey moving from Indiana to Sheridan with his father’s employment, Rockwell which is now the Kohler plant before Joe’s senior year of high school. This move was initiated by the family's good friend, Jim Lancaster. The oldest of Joe's siblings (Julia and Bill) stayed in Indiana.
It was not long after arriving in Sheridan that the girl of his dreams caught his eye, Regina Wilson, the daughter of Bessie and BA Wilson. During this time, Joe was exiting high school to begin his college career at Henderson State University. He was determined to see Regina and work weekends back home in Sheridan. He would catch rides with friends and classmates to and from school on the weekends. There might have been an occasion where he hitchhiked back home to Sheridan just so he could see Regina and work at the Sheridan Hardware Store. Sunday evenings were for kisses and hugs from Regina, a HUGE dinner from his mother Callie “Betty” before his father and others would load up the family car to make the trip back to Arkadelphia to drop Joe off for another week of classes. Joe would love school so much that he decided to stay through (3) name changes of the university which we know today as Henderson State University. While in college, Joe participated in the ROTC program which sparked his interest in the military. Joe graduated from Henderson State University with degrees in Sociology and Psychology. After college graduation he enlisted with the United States Army Reserve serving in Company "C" of the 489th Engineer Battalion. A highlight of his service career was during boot camp training at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri where one of his fellow bunk mates was Tony Dow, Big Brother to Wally on 'Leave It to Beaver.' Together and with others, they would leave the base occasionally to make the journey into town to catch a movie and a nickel beer.
After college and during his service, Joe moved back to Sheridan and continued working for the Balwanz family at Sheridan Hardware and Furniture Store and also started working part-time às the City Treasurer while working at the Sheridan Hardware Store until 1988 when he was asked by the City Council to complete the Sheridan Mayoral term for Dalton Walker. The community absolutely loved Joe! Joe would be reelected as Sheridan Mayor unopposed every term until his retirement in 2022. Together with his lovely bride, at retirement, both had served the people of Sheridan and community with 100 years of devotion and dedication to the growth, prosperity, and leadership that was required at the time. Joe alongside the Sheridan City Council would oversee our wonderful (and at the time) little community. Joe signed every check going into the construction and maintenance for the Sheridan Community Center and Sheridan Detention Center, as well as serving the General Contractor for the Detention Center. The Parks and Recreation Director Joel Stanton proposed that the Sheridan Parks and Recreation Community Center will be renamed in his memory and the City Council unanimously approved this proposal.
Other highlights of Joe’s tenure included separating wants from needs, writing grants including the inception of sidewalk expansion connecting downtown to the Sheridan Parks and Recreation Community Center. Joe knew how to network and leverage local, state, and national partners fostering relationships that helped Sheridan to grow. Joe’s leadership and commitment began to be recognized by others including congressmen, senators, and others including past Presidents of our United States. It was during the Clinton Administration that Joe was asked to participate in a peace mission trip with then President Clinton and other state and world leaders to Bosnia. This comes as no surprise as anyone knowing him knew he embodied peace, and was a true statesman. A bomber jacket (similar to the one presented to Joe) can be seen on display in the Clinton Library today and if you look close at the picture displayed in the library, you might be able to identify a younger, dark headed Joe that possessed a great style and class with his aviator sunglasses and 2 wristwatches. Why 2 wristwatches you ask? So that he could keep up with the demands local time, but also keep up with the demands of the city back home in Sheridan.
Joe selflessly volunteered as an official Grant County Ambassador showing families from all over the world and other visitors highlights from Sheridan and connecting these landmarks with personal accountings and stories. Joe lived in service to his community each day even after retirement. Joe continued his service to the community by volunteering on the Sheridan Water and Sewer Works Committee, Sheridan Park and Recreation Committee. Joe continued to assist after retirement with updating the City of Sheridan zoning map and meetings as requested at City Hall. He also served with the Grant County Museum Foundation where an exhibit of his mayoral office is displayed today. As the adage goes, "If you know, you know", meaning, his office was a testament to his love and preservation of Sheridan, politics, and service to the community by Joe and Regina. In a true response when asked about all the treasures in his office, his response was always "It is what it is". Joe was a longstanding and active member of Rotary International and the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District committee (SEAEDD). With the assistance of Carrie Smith, Joe identified specific needs of our city and co-authored the creation of Kick Start Sheridan Inc with other local, and regional leaders.
Another one of Joe's passions was his love for fast cars. There was not a Chevrolet Corvette that was brought into a local dealership that he and his good friend Harold Rowe and others would test drive just to ensure top notch quality. On one occasion, he bragged about the quick pace on one of these 'test drives' where Harold was driving and Joe was looking for the "oh s*!t" bar. Later he would chuckle when retelling the story, he remembered this model did not come with that accessory. He was an active member with the Midsouth Car Club with his 1979 Chevrolet Stingray Corvette complete with side quad exhaust system and undercarriage red neon light kit that would light up the night! The sharpest car in any parade driven by Joe Wise Jr. would not be complete without his granddaughter by his side, Evie Wise.
Joe Wise Jr. loved life and all those he encountered. His philosophy was simple. Love big, love lots, and lift all others up. His legacy lives on in the countless organizations and community that are thriving today including the City of Sheridan and each department charged with the well-being and protection of its citizens, Grant County Museum, Grant County Unified Community Resource Center (GCUCRC) which includes Kathy's Closet, Food Pantry, Keeping the Faith Women's Shelter, Learn to Read, and the Angel Tree, Kick Start Sheridan Inc and countless organizations born from those efforts including the Grant County Theater.
In lieu of flowers, GCUCRC's food pantry van will be located at the entrance of the Sheridan Parks and Recreation Community Center while we celebrate the life of Joe Wise Jr. Monetary contributions can also be made to the Grant County Museum.
Joe Wise' Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, November 26th at the Sheridan Parks and Recreation Community Center 2:00pm-4:00pm. In true "Joe fashion" come as you are to this casual drop-in celebration.
Everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable foods for drop of at the doors in liew of flowers. Joe's friends with Midsouth Car Club will be present for the perfect send off with antique cars, a burn out, and memorial cruise past a few places Joe revered including Sheridan Parks and Recreation Community Center, Grant County Museum, Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department, Sheridan City Hall, Sheridan Water Department, and then ending at Wright's Ranch House where he enjoyed eating weekly. Everyone is also welcome to participate in the cruise and eating at Wright's Ranch House.
