Joseph Frank Walton

Born December 15, 1935 to Frank “Tiger” Walton and Ida Hendrickson Walton. Joe was a football star at Beaver Falls High School and University of Pittsburgh, where he was named twice as an All American. He then played for the Washington Redskins and the NY Giants, followed by coaching the Giants, Redskins, Jets (head coach) and Steelers. Joe had 34 years in the NFL with 8 as a player and 26 as a coach. He then built the football program at Robert Morris University from scratch and led as head coach for 20 years.

Joe’s life was characterized by his generosity & great love. He loved his family, friends, and players deeply and was loved by them in return.

As a football player & coach, Joe has been honored with many awards, titles, and impressive records, but what all who worked with him will remember is how he made them feel. Coach Walton led with 2 core values: truth & love. He held his players, coaches, and support team to a high standard and helped them develop through honest feedback coupled with positive encouragement. Joe especially loved coaching college students. He took competition and winning very seriously, but he always focused on the whole student. Teaching young men not just how to play, but how to live off the field.

Joe will be remembered for enabling others to succeed. He encouraged and supported many assistant coaches to take coaching positions elsewhere for their own development.

Joe was an incredibly generous soul. A favorite act of generosity was taking people out to eat for good food. He always treated owners & wait staff well and they loved having him come to their restaurants.

All who knew Joe will miss the way he’d light up upon seeing you and providing a word of encouragement.

As a final act of generosity, Joe donated his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Ginger of 47 years in 2007. Joe and Ginger had three children: Jodi Bessell (Jimmy), Stacy Hale, and Joe “Tiger” Walton (Donna). His brother Frank Walton (Nancy), cousins Barb and Tommy D’Achille and numerous other much-loved relatives. He also has six grandchildren: Ginnie Rae Robinson (Brian), JJ Bessell, Jessica Bessell, Taylor Walton, Ryan Walton, Krissy O’Brien (Nick), as well as one great grandchild: Penelope Jo O’Brien. Family cherished visiting “Grandpa Pittsburgh” in beloved Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico. Joe will always be remembered as a loving father & grandfather.

Joe married Patty Sheehan Walton in 2011 at Riverview United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls. Patty lovingly cared for him in his challenging battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which led them to their current home in Englewood, FL.

A Memorial Service for family and friends in Florida will be held at the Englewood United Methodist Church on Monday August 23 at 2:00 in the small Chapel.

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at Riverview United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, PA sometime in late September. Date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s honor may be made to the Joe Walton Scholarship Fund at Robert Morris University at www.rmucolonials.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lemonbayfh.com for the Walton family.