Joe Wilk

Born in Houston, Texas on February 16, 1917 to Russian immigrant parents Rachel and Sam Wilk, Joe will be fondly remembered by his Houston Rambler buddies and as the owner of the popular Joe & Louie's Nite Club. During WWII, Joe spent 5 years as a Heavy Automotive Mechanic in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and England. He was awarded 6 Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.

After the war, Joe met the love of his life in a whirlwind one date romance with Sylvia Leavitt of Chicago. Married 60 years, Joe and Sylvia created a life in San Antonio; active in Congregation Agudas Achim, the Young People's League, Hebrew Free Loan, the Masonic Lodge 32 degree and countless hours at the gym. A "scrapman" by trade, Joe never knew the word "impossible" and in his later years enjoyed oil painting, guitar, banjo, racquetball, golf, volunteering, square and line dancing, and wine making. Our Zayde was truly a role model and MENTSCH for all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sylvia; children, Andy (Leigh) Wilk, Sheri (Brad) Barenblat and Sheila (Lanny) Cooper; his grandchildren Melinda (Sebastian) Grunewald, Evan Wilk and fianc Lauren Furlin, Louie Cooper, Elliott Cooper, Elaine Barenblat, Becca Barenblat; great-grandson, Patrick Grunewald; sister, Esther Levit; brother, Morris Wilk and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and caregivers who worked tirelessly to keep his later years active and meaningful, and especially the staff at Odyssey Hospice for allowing him to pass with peaceful dignity.