William Joseph "Mr. Joe" McCulley, 85, a resident of McComb, MS; passed away at Ochsner Medical Center in Slidell, LA on April 30, 2022 with his family surrounding him.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Friendship Baptist Church from 2:00 PM until services at 5:00 PM.  Rev. Brad Fitzgerald and Rev. Everette McKibben will officiate.  Burial will be in Reeves cemetery.  Hartman Jones Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Joe was born in McComb, MS on February 12, 1937 to Bennie Alton "B.A." McCulley, Sr. and Eloise Holmes McCulley.

He was a lifelong member of Friendship Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for over forty years.  Mr. Joe worked for many years with the Illinois Central Railroad as a car man.  He continued working later in life as a self-employed contractor, cattle farmer and a massage therapist.  He was a Shriner, a Mason and member of the national guard.  Mr. Joe enjoyed spending time at his farm and his camp on the Mississippi River always standing and reflecting while gazing at the water before he left to head home.  He was a gentleman, always helping others with rides to Dr. appointments, fixing any problems that he thought he could lend a helping hand to and loving others.  He found joy in life with family, friends, and God.  His life was lived abundantly and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Joe C. McCulley and Clara, and a son Michael Joseph McCulley.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Nora Downs McCulley of McComb; a son Rusty McCulley (Stacy) of Summit; two granddaughters Rachel McKibben (James) of Monterey , LA and Leighton McCulley of Summit; a great grandson Carter McKibben; two brothers Al McCulley of Summit and Ted McCulley (Joyce) of Denham Springs, LA ; brother-in-law Johnny Downs (Charlotte) of Baton Rouge; sister-in-law Joyce Schram of Gonzales, LA; sister-in-law Peggy Miller of Zachary, LA and a host of other family and many  friends.

Pallbearers will be:  Marc McCulley, Michael McCulley, Tim Addison, Beau Greene, James McKibben and Tristan Buffington.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lewis Roberts, Morris Ownes, Hollis Harrell, James E. White, Leroy Laird, Wade Guy and the Coffee Club at Vine's.

In lieu of flowers donations to Friendship Baptist Church can be made in Mr. Joe McCulley's name to 1046 Friendship Circle, McComb, MS 39648.