Obituary
Joe Wade Shivers, beloved husband, father, and brother, was called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 12, 2023, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, June; his son Brian; his daughter Cassandra; and his brother Donald (Ann). He is preceded in death by his parents Mildred Ruth Bugg and Wade Burleson Shivers.
Joe was born in Roanoke, Alabama on October 27, 1946. He grew up in Moore Haven, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida on December 17, 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics. Joe was an ROTC student and was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant that same day. The ceremony to wed June Elizabeth Sprague took place the following day in Orlando, Florida.
Joe began active duty in 1969 and after completing helicopter flight training school, served a 13-month tour of duty in The Republic of Korea as a pilot. He was discharged as a Captain in 1973.
His career in banking started with The Federal Landbank in Alabama. A return to Florida to be closer to family and friends, led to working at the First Bank of Clewiston in LaBelle as Vice-President, Branch Manager, and later Senior Vice-President and Area Manager. During that time, he supervised the construction of the present LaBelle Branch building.
Joe was surprised by being presented with the “Good Neighbor Award” in 1986 from the Ft. Myers, FL WBBH Channel 20 television station, which was taped at the bank and aired on the station’s 6:00 p.m. newscast.
For many years, Joe was an active member of the Carlson Memorial United Methodist Church in LaBelle serving on various boards and committees. In college Joe became a member of The Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He was active in the local community serving on the board of the LaBelle Chamber of Commerce, the Barron Library Board, and was a LaBelle City Commissioner.
Joe retired and relocated with June, to The Villages, where he enjoyed retirement attending lectures at a local aviation club, working on model aircraft, collecting model trains and studying genealogy.
He was a devoted Gator and spent many Saturdays rooting for his team and barbequing.
Joe was kind, considerate, and loving. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
An internment ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on August 25, 2023, at The Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513 to be followed by a 3:30 p.m. Celebration of Life service and reception at The Villages Eisenhower Recreation Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, FL 32163.
Joe’s family is very grateful for the people and care he received at the Cornerstone Villages Hospice House, before his passing, and would like donations, in lieu of flowers, to be made to the Cornerstone Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.
He was honest, sometimes shy, and always a stand-up respectful guy. He was loved by many and will be missed by many.
And because of his faith and the way he lived his life, I am certain he is resting in peace.