Obituary
William “Bill” Joy, 85, of Portales died early on the morning of Sept. 6, 2021 in Portales. At his request, there will not be a formal service. The family will host an informal gathering at his home, 208 NM 267, on Sat., Sept. 11, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
William McLaren Joy, known to everyone as “Bill,” was born Sept. 15, 1935, in Jacksonville, IL to the home of Myrtle Margaret (McLaren) and Warren Drake Joy. Following his graduation from high school, he served four years in the US Navy where he was assigned to the military air transport service crew as an electrician. Following his discharge, he attended college at Humboldt State University in CA where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. He earned his Master’s Degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 1970.
He was married to Marilyn Jeanne Black on June 4, 1960 in Springfield, IL. Bill Joy started his years at ENMU in 1966 as the Head Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager. In addition, he was an Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education, and spent years teaching Physical Education classes. Bill retired after 25 years in 1991 as Assistant Professor Emeritus of Health and Physical Education and was honored in 2008 with the Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Award. He was certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1973, and appointed to the New Mexico Athletic Trainers Advisory Board by former Governor Toney Anaya for a six-year term.
Bill has been an active member of Bench Club since the beginning as well as the former rodeo sponsor/coach for three years. Bill has served on the Roosevelt County Fair Pioneer Board for the last five years. He also established the Myrtle Joy Sports Medicine Scholarship in memory of his mother.
Bill is survived by his only daughter, Lori Roberts and husband, Larry of Portales; three grandchildren, Kodi Joy, Tyler Roberts and Justine Roberts; two great-grandchildren, Desi and Izzy; a brother, Don Joy of Longbard, IL; and two sisters, Lois Hamm of Edina, MO and Doris Parks of Jacksonville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle and Warren Joy, a sister, Jeanette DeFrates, and by his beloved wife, Marilyn who died Nov. 23, 2014, after more than 54 years of marriage.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William “Bill”, please visit our floral store.
We are deeply sorry for your loss – the staff at Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, Inc.
