Roll Call Tribute

Joseph William "Joe Bill" Carper, Jr. 

January 18, 1931 - September 9, 2024 

Joseph William (Joe Bill) Carper, Jr., 93, of Uvalde, Texas died peacefully on September 9, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Uvalde, where he was baptized and was a long time member. Joe Bill was born on January 18, 1931, at home in Uvalde to Harriet (Hattie Stockley) and Joseph William Carper, Sr.

Joe Bill attended Uvalde public schools, graduating from Uvalde High School in 1948. He attended Texas A&M University, graduating with a degree in agricultural engineering in 1952 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Carper served in the United States Army field artillery in the Korean War as 1st Lieutenant Officer for the 155mm howitzer battalion. After serving, he returned to Texas A&M University as a civilian and received a degree in Civil Engineering in 1955.

He was employed in engineering and construction of oil refineries, gas plants and chemical plants in Port Arthur and Houston, Texas. He worked for Texaco, Foster Wheeler and Combustion Engineering (CE) Randall during his career and earned his Professional Engineer (P.E.) license during that time.

Carper married Mary Jo Williams in Port Arthur in 1960, and they raised two children together.

He retired in 1986 and returned to Uvalde to help care for his father.

In 1987, he married a former Uvalde High School classmate, Josephine “JoJo” Roberts Dunlap and together, they engaged in ranching and residential rental property management.

Joe Bill loved to fish, play dominoes and cheer on his beloved Aggies in football as well as work and create in his woodshop. He loved to be outside; he always had a garden and was known for both his abundant tomato and spinach crops. Over the past several years, he enjoyed the food and friendship of a local supper club each week.

He is preceded in his death by his parents; his second wife JoJo; his sister, Hattie Sue Carper Capt and his brother-in-law, Louis Capt.

Carper is survived by his son, Paul, of Conroe, daughter Lori Carper Baker (Kevin) of Houston, stepson Doug Dunlap, Jr. (Marge) of San Antonio, stepdaughter Pam Garner (Steve) formerly of Concan, granddaughter Brianna Ainsley Alsup Carper, of College Station, granddaughter Olivia Sage Carper, of College Station and four bonus grandchildren, Chelsea Hutto and husband, Ryan, Dirk Dunlap and wife, Christina, Lela Budnik and husband Brian, Zach Dunlap and wife Anna Maria; seven bonus great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Lisa Rose and all the other caregivers during his recent time in Houston, as well as the staff at the Veranda, Pam and Steve Garner, Doug and Marge Dunlap and Carper and Becky Capt for all they did for him in Uvalde.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Briscoe Animal Resource Center, formerly the Humane Society of Uvalde, (via the website barcuvalde.com).