Joseph Bullock, Sr. of Lake Wales, FL, graduated this earthly plane — peacefully, in his sleep, just a few hours before the dawn of a new day — on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the age of 93.

He was born on February 8, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA, to the late William Bullock and Emma Perry Bullock, and was the youngest of four brothers and three sisters, all of whom are pre-deceased. After high school, Joe served in the Army during WWII, then married and moved to New Jersey, where he lived with his wife and two sons. He worked as a carpenter and union representative for the Atlantic-Richfield Co. (Later ARCO) for 36 years. After his retirement, when the nest was empty, the couple moved to Lake Wales Florida in 1989.

Joe Bullock was a WWII Veteran, a past Commander of American Legion Post #72 in Brooklyn, NJ, an active member of the Masons, Toastmasters International, and the now defunct Lake Wales Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, American Legion Post #71, and VFW Post 2420, all in Lake Wales.

He is survived by his wife, Dorine, to whom he had been very happily married for 68 years. They were never apart. He is also survived by his eldest son; Joegh Bullock, who now lives with his wife, Carly, in Guerneville, California — and his younger son, Robert, who now lives in Lake Wales, Florida with his wife, Susan. There are no grandchildren, but Joe leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, two grand-dogs, and many friends.

Throughout his life, Joseph Bullock, Sr. was an undiscovered visionary, constantly re-thinking traditional ideas and common objects to imagine better ways of doing things. He could build nearly anything from wood, and was constantly at work in his shop on multiple projects. He built the entire family home by himself, sleeping in his car and working all weekend before going back to his regular job every Monday, for over a year.

He built cabins and cabinets, tables, chairs, benches, bars, boats and boxes. He built mini-bikes, go-carts and custom power tools…and even two compact camping trailers. He passed along his unique thought process, together with his talent, knowledge, skills and creativity, to his two sons by setting an example — approaching everything he did with the same careful and thorough ingenuity, work ethic and imagination. His energy and passion for having a good time was no exception; he worked at this, too, and succeeded in achieving it far more often than most. He will deeply missed and fondly remembered by many.

A memorial service will be held at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales on March 10, at 10:30 am – to be followed by a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Post 71 in Lake Wales.

I lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 72 or

VFW post 2420, both in Lake Wales