William Joseph (Joe) Getsinger peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 1, 2025, after a year-long-battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and daughters whom he loved dearly.
Joe was born at Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport, LA on October 8, 1937. While his early childhood was spent in Shreveport, he spent his formative years at the foot of Petit Jean Mountain in Oppelo, Arkansas where he graduated from Morrilton High School in 1955. At 17, Joe made the commitment to serve his country in the United States Air Force and worked in Air Traffic Control as a tower operator. His first duty station was Kimpo Air Base in post armistice Korea near the demilitarized zone. When he returned home from Korea he was stationed at Chennault Air Force Base in Lake Charles, LA until he was honorably discharged from active duty. He would later serve in the Air Force Reserve for six years. Joe began his civilian career with the Federal Aviation Administration in San Antonio, TX.
A few years later he returned to Shreveport to attend Centenary College and met Betty Jo McPhearson. Joe provided the best example of the old saying, “when you know, you know,” evident by a 3-month courtship of Betty and elope wedding in 1963 with 62 years of marriage celebrated April 23, 2025. He and Betty opened A&A Locksmith in 1967 serving the Shreveport/Bossier City area for 30 years. The core value and foundational principle of their business was the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Joe was a Certified Master Locksmith and member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). He was a founding member of the Ark-La-Tex Locksmith Association which was formed with the goal of lobbying for licensing laws and background checks to protect consumers. Joe was known for his expertise in safe manipulation, a highly specialized and rare skill. He loved the challenge of manipulating safes with patience and precision and was recognized nationally by ALOA for his skills.
Joe surrendered his life to Christ in May of 1994 in desperation after the sudden death of his brother. He dropped his head and said, “Lord Help Me,” and heard Him say,” Son, I am right here with you.”
Joe’s retirement years were spent solving the most difficult crossword puzzles he could find or on the road (remote highways were preferred) traveling the country with Betty. The two of them ultimately visited all 50 states highlighted by a trip to Hawaii and two-month-long trip through the Canadian Rockies and Alaska where they camped in Joe’s beloved travel trailer along the way. Itineraries and reservations had no place in his travel planning; stopping to see the random museum, historical marker, or scenic overlook when they appeared mattered more. Joe also loved to hunt and fish with friends and family who shared those times with him.
Recent years when not overseeing his vegetable garden and annual “harvest” as he proudly claimed were highlighted by a renewed faith which brought him and his family tremendous joy. Joe was baptized at 80 years old. He loved to share his testimony and tell others about God’s sacrificial atonement and redemptive grace. Rose Park Baptist Church and the Young at Heart Ministry filled his heart more than words can describe. The surprise day trips organized by the church were highlights matched only by playing dominoes with a group of men who became his close friends and fierce dominoes competitors (The A-team as he called them).
His titles of Husband and Dad were matched in importance by a third: PawPaw. His six grandchildren were blessed to know their PawPaw loved them. It was rare for phone calls with his daughters to end without a final request to “give those grandbabies a hug from PawPaw.”
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, William Joseph (Bill) Getsinger, Sr., and Lucille Young Getsinger; a sister, Joye Elizabeth Getsinger Songer, and a brother, Larry Francis Getsinger, Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty McPhearson Getsinger, their two daughters and their spouses and children: Suzanne (Suzy) Getsinger Adams, husband Russell Adams, and their children William Ernest Adams, Ansley Grace Adams, and Benjamin Brooks Adams; Holly Getsinger Schmidt, husband Curtis Schmidt, and their children Ryan Hunter Schmidt, Jenna Claire Schmidt, and Jason (Jase) Cole Schmidt; one sister-in-law, Gloria McPhearson, along with 14 nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Rose Park Baptist Church in Shreveport. A celebration of his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. the same day with interment following at Centuries Memorial Park in Shreveport.
Serving as pallbearers are Larry Getsinger, Jr., Daniel Getsinger, Clay Oden, Edward Oden, Jason McMullen, and David Kerley. Honorary pallbearers are Walter Lee, Lonnie Dunn, Vernice Dyess, Luke Bissell, Buck Furlow, Charles Jones, Huey Young, Lanny Garrett, and Johnnie Hoell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Rose Park Young at Heart Ministry, or Volunteers of America.
The family would like to give special thanks to Buck and Sheila Furlow, Rocky Maddox, Dewanna McGee, Jason and Amy McMullen, Gloria McPhearson, Donna Tidwell, Debbie Hassell, Clay and Nancy Oden, Kayla Marble, Pat and Charles Jones, Sylvia Adams, Monique Huston, Gerald and Debbie Adams, Bo and Amy Snellings, and many other special friends and family members who loved and supported our family with extra acts of kindness and compassion during our last days together. Much love and thanks until we are all together again.
