Joseph Edward College, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed into the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ on August 24, 2008, at the age of 83, after a short illness.

Our time on Earth is very short compared to eternity with God. This is a place to get ready to live forever. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Let us cling to the God of Glory, trust him, love him, and he will take care of us. Believing on Jesus gives us life eternal. "Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life."
(John 6:47)

Remember every day just how much God loves you. Then go out and share that love with the world. And if you stumble and fall on your journey toward heaven today, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and begin again.

Know that God will always love you. God will always forgive you. And God will always hold your soul tenderly in his loving arms.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Joe was born on November 20, 1924 and was a native of St. Albans. Although he resided in Dunbar the past 27 years, he remained close to boyhood friends and to the St. Albans High School Class of '42.

He was a World War II veteran, having served in the European Theatre. He landed on Omaha Beach during the Great Invasion and fought his way across France, Luxemburg, Belgium and into Germany with General Patton's Third Army. Upon leaving the service, he served in the National Guard. The Kanawha Airport was under construction, so Joe worked there until he was called to take a job at the Dupont Belle Plant. He spent the next 35 years there and also built many houses in the St. Albans area.

Joe and his beloved son, Gregory, were baptized in 1965 at Bethany Baptist Church in St. Albans. Joe re-dedicated this life to Christ in 1984 at the Blvd. Church of Christ and is presently a member of Kingsway Christian Church in Nitro.

Joe exchanged his fishing pole and bowling ball for golfing equipment when he retired in 1982. He continued to raise a big garden and gave most of the harvest to Dunbar Senior Citizens. He was also a proud member of the Benny Padilla VFW Post #4768, and took part in many last rite ceremonies for departed military personnel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Marshall and Verna Bell Finney College, his beloved son, Gregory Allen, who passed away in 2004 and brothers, Jimmy, Raymond and Sherman College.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Helen Duffield College; his beloved daughters and their husbands, Jodie and John Hilton of Orlando, Fla., Joyce and Michael Mullins of St. Albans; step-daughter and husband, Beth and Michael Lyons of Nitro; nine grandchildren, K. D. Rymer, Mark Hilton, Travis Mullins, Victoria Mullins, J. R., David, Phil, Alex and Dannielle College; great grandson, Justin Hilton; two sisters and their families, Phyllis Balser and Evelyn Parsons and numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews, including special nephews, Phil College and wife, Jan and Terry College and wife, Beth. "Yes, Joe, we're glad we got to see you." We will forever remember your way with words.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 28, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with Brother Bryant Bowman officiating. Entombment with military rites by Benny Padilla VFW Post 4768 will follow in the Cunningham Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Friends may gather with the family for visitation from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Kingsway Christian Church, Nitro Community Center, 302 21st Street, P. O. Box 307, Nitro, WV 25143, or to a charity of your choice.