Joseph William Chavez ….
Joseph William Chavez 1938–2022
Joseph Chavez was the only son among five sisters born to Felicita Rafaela Iglesias and Joseph Nieva Chavez on Jan. 30, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York. When he went peacefully home to be with the Lord, he was surrounded by his family.
Joseph spent his younger years living and working on the East Coast as an engineer for both ITT and the U.S. Postal Service. In September 2010, he decided to relocate to Leisure World, where “the women outnumbered the men 10-1.” Joseph met the love of his life, Shirlene Wallis, at karaoke in 2011. They started dating and were wed on the Sapphire Princess Nov. 19, 2012. During their nine years of marriage, they loved to cruise, entertain, sing and dance. They were lovers and best friends and loved holding hands just as they were when Joseph went to his heavenly home.
Joseph enjoyed being with people and was a member of many clubs in Leisure World including the American Legion, Phil-AM Social Club, Theater Club, Good News Singers, Video Producers Club, ADHOC, Y Service Club and Let the Good Times Roll, for which Joseph and Shirlene did their famous rendition of “The Blues Brothers.”
Joseph was proud to be an Army veteran, having served in Korea and Turkey. He loved wearing his veteran cap and always sang and stood tall when the National Anthem was played. He was proud to be an American.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Shirlene; step-daughter, Debbie Casper (Wayne); grandchildren Harry (Sterling), Michael (Hannah) and Hannah Ward (Dean); great granddaughter Kinsley Grace; sisters Priscila, Gloria, Alice, Victoria and Eleanor; sister-inlaw Edna; niece Bess, nephew Winston; and his special angel Rosario, who has taken care of him for the past five years and is one of the family.
