Joseph Walter Tullis

Joe Tullis passed away January 21, 2022 from COVID Pneumonia complications at the age of ninety-four.

Born in Lamar, Missouri, he was the only child of Don and Lilian Tullis. The Tullis family moved to Redondo Beach, California in 1941. A graduate of Redondo Union High School, Joe enlisted in the Navy January 21, 1946. He served in WWII as a Fireman First Class with the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion, Detachment #1509/Seabees and served in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged October 31, 1947.

Joe met the love of his life, Sara R. “Sally” MacIninch, and they married December 24, 1948. He started his career in the telephone industry in 1950 taking him from California to New Mexico where he retired in 1983. Joe and Sally served as Home Missionaries with the Southern Baptist Convention from 1985—1994 helping build new and reconstruction of churches throughout the Midwest. In 1995, they moved to Pearland, Texas so they could be close to their family. Their highlight during this time was watching their three granddaughters play softball and perform in school choir/theater.

Joe moved to Centerville, Texas in 2010 when his beautiful bride was placed in a nursing home.

He was a proud Mason of Barstow Boron Lodge #682 for fifty-three years and a member of the Leon County American Legion Post 335 in Centerville, Texas.

Joe loved his family and was an inspiration to anyone he met. He never knew a stranger. To hear him tell the stories of his humble life and learn from his wisdom was a blessing to everyone. He loved to hunt and fish, work on cars, fix most everything and do leather work, making knife sheaths and handgun holsters. He always carried a wrench, knife and flashlight in his coveralls.

Joe was preceded in death by both of his parents and wife, Sally. He is survived by his only child, Richard J. Tullis & wife, Suzanne of Centerville; granddaughters, Elizabeth Morris & husband, Richard of Huntsville; Carrie Tullis & partner, Rebecca Kahn of Centerville and Georgia Tullis & partner, Curtis Morgan of Pasadena; great-grandsons, Lance & Kyle Morris and their wives; great-granddaughter, Ellazae Morris and one great-great-grandson, Baker Morris who was born January 20, 2022.

Funeral services honoring the life of Joe Tullis will be held 1 P.M., Monday, February 7, 2022 at Houston National Cemetery with funeral honors presented by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Line up will begin at 12:45 in Line 1 at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas is entrusted with final arrangements.