William Joseph Dugger

William Joseph “Joe” Dugger passed away unexpectedly Thursday June 19, 2025 at CVMC. Born March 13, 1950 in Mountain City Tennessee, Joe was the baby of 11 children. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Russell Dugger, 7 sisters, 3 brothers and his two fur babies Mitzi and Sadie.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years Elizabeth “Libby” Dugger, his only child Stephanie Jo Young aka “Squirt” who he proudly raised as a “tomboy,” and her wife Kessiah, his grandkids: Andy (Ashley), Brandon, Peyton, Jayce (Elli), his great grandkids: Kardon, Kalaya, Rosie, Avonah, Marlee and a baby boy, due in September that he was excited to meet, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joe was a “they don’t make ‘em that way anymore” kind of man. He was old school. He believed in tough love, and he’d never be caught crying, no matter the hardships and losses he endured. He loved his family and he loved being loved. He enjoyed fishing, always catching the most or the biggest, boating, and spending time at his camper on High Rock Lake. He planted a garden every spring, giving away more than he kept. He loved helping people and would often call to check on those he cared about. He had his own dialect that could be difficult for outsiders to understand. He was blunt, not the type to sugarcoat anything. He knew everything, was never wrong and always had to be the supervisor. He had an inappropriate sense of humor that he passed down to his daughter and grandsons; he always had jokes. He touched so many lives and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The family is forever grateful to his niece Hope and his friend and political rival Della who were there with them as he crossed over.

A graveside service will be held at the family cemetery on Friday June 27, 2025 at 6pm and a celebration of life will be planned for a later date.