Joe Graves was born May 14, 1923, in Stilson, Texas and was a U.S. Marine who served his country in World War II fighting and being wounded in the Battle of Iwo Jima. After returning from the war, he married Merle Sanders and they shared the next 66 years of their lives together. Joe worked for Exxon for 32 years before retiring. Joe loved to hunt on his deer lease and play “42” in dominoes. After moving to Fort Worth in 2001, he spent many happy times with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had many friends who he would stop by to visit with during his morning rounds.
Those who celebrated his arrival in heaven were his son, Kenneth Perdue, his parents and three sisters.
Separated on earth, to be reunited in heaven one day, are his wife, Merle Graves, daughter and son-in-law, Royette and Sam Hance, two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
