Willie Joe (Joe Boy) Shields

Willie Joe Shields was born on August 29, 1942 to Varee and Robbie Hagans Shields, in Huntsville, Texas, in the  Gospel Hill community.

Willie Joe, known to many as “Joe Boy” received his formal education in the Walker County area. He attended Sam Houston High School, where he was the captain of the school’s football team. He graduated as a proud Sam Houston High School Tiger in 1962. Years later in 1995, he became a part of the Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Culture Center’s Sculpture Dreamers

Willie Joe displayed excellent work ethics. Following high school he began working for Huntsville Memorial Hospital in 1962, where he started his career as an Orderly. At the time of  his retirement in 2007, he was working as a Medical Assistant.

Willie Joe will be remembered as a kind spirit that helped so many people in his community. He was either visiting the sick and shut in or assisting a family member or a friend to take care of their business matters or whatever it was that they may have needed cared for at that time. He was a man who enjoyed life to the fullest, whether he was taking his morning walks or traveling at any given time to one of his favorite football games. His two favorite teams were Sam Houston State University and the Houston Cougars, however his love for the sport took him all over the United States. 

Willie Joe was a member of First New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. He was currently attending St. Paul United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas under the leadership of Rev. Kefentse Risher. 

Willie Joe was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Varee Shields, Jr., Johnnie Mae Shields and James Shields. Loved ones left to treasure memories include his sons: Brian Shields (Monique) and Deleon Shelley; daughter: Sandra Kay Shields and granddaughter: Siena Shields and a host of additional relatives and many friends.